6 benefits of living in a care home for people with dementia

Dementia advice

If you’ve felt guilt about seeking care for a loved one, you’re not alone.

Many family members and friends who care for an older person with dementia struggle with the idea of asking for a helping hand.

From knowing when the time is right to help your loved one move into a care home to understanding what type of care they may need and what affects cost, there are many factors to consider.

But moving into a Care UK care home can transform the quality of life for older people. Read our guide to the benefits of living in a care home for people with dementia.

What are the benefits for people with dementia of living in a care home?

Transitioning from a home or hospital to a care home may not be easy for someone living with dementia, but there are a number of benefits – for both residents and family members – to living in a care home that will set your mind at ease.

6 benefits of living in a Care UK care home

1. Your loved one will receive support from dedicated care staff 24 hours a day

Receiving round-the-clock care is one of the main reasons that people living with dementia move into a care home. If you care for a family member or friend who lives on their own, you will likely be familiar with the uncertainty that can arise between visits or calls.

Knowing that your loved one is safe and cared for in a warm environment when you can’t be there will give you peace of mind and lift a weight off your shoulders.

2. Care UK care homes provide a safe and secure environment

Resident safety is the top priority for Care UK colleagues, and our highly trained teams strive to create a warm and welcoming environment that is safe for all residents, no matter their mobility or care needs.

We are proud to be the most awarded care home provider for the last two years, trusted to care for thousands of families.

We ensure that our facilities and environments allow those living with dementia to flourish, with a number of accommodations made to support residents with the condition. Read more about our dementia-friendly environments.

3. Activities will keep your loved one social and active

Quality of life is what living at a Care UK care home is all about. Our dedicated lifestyle teams get to know your loved one and organise activities, entertainment and outings tailored to their interests and hobbies.

Our teams will help residents live meaningful lives, whatever that means for them. For the social butterflies, it could be taking part in every activity, but for others that might mean pottering in the garden or spending quality one-on-one time with a colleague.

4. Delicious and nutritious chef-made food

If your loved one is struggling to get adequate nutrition at home, moving to a Care UK home could transform their dining habits. Our chef-led catering teams provide high quality food tailored to residents’ preferences, and they have expert knowledge on nutrition for older people.

Because our kitchen teams work closely with the residents themselves, they’ll know each person’s dining and dietary needs and can work with clinical and care colleagues to support these.

5. You’ll be able to enjoy visiting with your loved one again

Caring for someone can create pressure and stress at home, but visiting your loved one in a care home means you will be able to enjoy some relaxing time in their company again. You can go back to being their friend, spouse, child or sibling rather than their carer.

At Care UK care homes, you can visit for a meal and join in with activities or simply stop in for a quick chat and a coffee in one of our cafés. Read tips for making the most of your visit.

6. You’ll receive support and advice from our expert colleagues

If you have a question about the progression of your loved one’s dementia, chances are our expertly trained team members will be able to help you or point you in the direction of a charity or support group that can. Our homes often hold Dementia Cafés or meetings where families dealing with similar situations can come together and share their experiences.

Read about our support for families and carers.

When should someone with dementia go into a care home?

This is a very personal question that will be determined by your loved one’s dementia and the level of care you can provide at home.

Read our full guide to when someone with dementia should go into a care home.

Live-in home care versus a dementia care home

Live-in care is a service where a carer goes to live with the person with dementia. There is usually a rotation of carers every few weeks depending on the person’s level of care needs. They will typically have specialist dementia training and help with all care needs. Live-in care can help someone living with dementia remain at home in familiar surroundings for longer.

On the other hand, a specialist dementia care home provides 24-hour support, seven days a week. That means there is no risk of the care breaking down because a carer is unable to attend at short notice, and there are always more carers and equipment available to support if the person has a fall or needs extra care

Find out if a Care UK care home is right for you

If you're looking for the right level of care for yourself or a loved one, get in touch with our care support team or pop into your local Care UK care home to chat to a friendly member of the team and find out how they can help. Simply search for a care home near you to get started.