However, it’s important to understand that dementia is a progressive condition, and over time, your loved one’s needs will increase. They will become increasingly dependent on you for help and support.
During the moderate stages of dementia, your loved one will need more assistance – most likely some help with eating, dressing and toileting.
In the more advanced stages, they will be unable to live alone or be left alone. They may forget the names of those close to them and be unaware of recent events. They will need help with most daily tasks and may become incontinent. They may also become agitated and could even hallucinate. They will generally be more confused. While you should seek medical help if the person becomes confused very suddenly, it's unfortunate that general confusion and restlessness can be key symptoms of more advanced dementia.
In the long term, they will lose their ability to walk and speak and will require 24-hour care. While this can be worrying and upsetting to consider, it’s important to be aware of how dementia can progress so that you and your family can plan ahead and support your loved one.
Key things to consider:
What support does your loved one need now? Do you have the time and energy to provide what they need at this point in time? If not, who can help you with their care?
Is the person receiving the financial help and support they are entitled to? Any financial help will take some pressure off and enable you to recharge your batteries. It may contribute towards the cost of a cleaner or additional support from a home care agency. <Link to claim their benefits article>.
How will you care for your loved one in future, when their needs increase? Who will provide more support? Will you enlist the help of a home care agency, or will you and other family members and friends provide additional support?
Where will the person live when they require 24-hour care?
Start having discussions now
It's important to have open and honest conversations with family and other people who are close to your loved one.
Find out who is going to help with their care and be honest with yourself about who you believe you can rely on. If you sense that some people won’t help, it’s better to acknowledge it now, and plan accordingly.
If your loved one is in the early or mid-stages of their dementia and you are able to have conversations with them, speak to them now about the type of care they would like to receive in future.
You may wish to look into home care agencies. Even with you and other family members doing your bit, you may find you need professional help with your loved one’s care, especially if they live alone. Even if you live with them, you will need a break from time to time.
Choosing a good home care agency
Make a list of your loved one’s current needs and what help you think they will need in future.
Speak to at least two home care agencies so that you can compare what they offer and decide which one will best support your loved one’s needs.
Ask if the home care agency will be able to increase their level of care in future when your loved one needs more support.
Check the agency’s report on the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) website. The CQC rates services like home care agencies and care homes on whether their service is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
Ask the agency the following questions:
Are their staff dementia trained?
Will your loved one have the same carer (with the exception of holidays or sickness)?
What happens if their care worker is off sick?
How would they deal with a medical emergency?
Think about the person’s future living arrangements
You may need to consider the option of a care home in the long-term future. Even if you currently live with the person and you plan to care for them, there may come a time when it’s too demanding. It’s important to put aside any emotional issues you may have about this and think logically about the person’s future care. What will be best for the person in the long run? What’s the best way to ensure their health and safety? Start thinking about care home and looking into them now, rather than waiting until the person needs full time care.
Make sure the person is getting access to all of the financial help they are entitled to, so that it can contribute towards the cost of their care. <Link to Claim Their Benefits article>.
Sources:
https://dementiahelpuk.com/choosing-a-home-care-agency/