At What stage does an individual living with dementia need 24 Hour Care?

Individuals living with dementia may need around the clock supervision, but they may still be able to live semi-autonomously with limited supervision. If you are concerned that your loved one has the symptoms of dementia, it may be best to consider a power of attorney for them. Here are some signs that someone may need round-the-clock live-in care.

Symptoms of dementia

The signs of dementia can make an individual appear confused and less able to communicate. They may also exhibit challenging behaviour and can show signs of physical agitation. Moreover, dementia affects communication skills and can cause false signals in the brain. This disease can also lead to hallucinations, which make usual routines difficult. Therefore, if you are concerned about a loved one’s safety, it is best to seek professional help.

As the disease progresses, the individual’s ability to communicate with others becomes increasingly difficult. He or she may also experience increased episodes of walking around (also referred to as purposeful walking). Another sign of the disease is the difficulty in remembering to take prescribed medication at a set time. If medication is taken to alleviate the symptoms of Dementia and these are missed, this may lead to further deterioration of their mental health.

Depending on the type dementia the individual is living with, sleeplessness can be a problem. If the individual is not able to sleep at night, it may be important to provide constant care for them, they can be at a higher risk of falling when they are tired. Using stimulation during the day with the individual can help them sleep as they will be tired. This can be mental or physical activities.

Individuals living with dementia will require ongoing help with their daily tasks. This can be a prompt or support. As the disease progresses, daily tasks can become increasingly challenging for them. This loss of independence and privacy is a transition for the individual and can be very frustrating for them; the frustration can come across as agitated behaviour.

To support the individual, having objects from their past, such as family photo albums, to remind them of memories can be a help. Regularly offering an activity during the day can help to keep the individual active and stimulate their memory. Activities can include general tasks that they would have done themselves throughout their life i.e. helping with the laundry, washing up or helping to prepare food and drinks or the activities can be a hobby, something that is meaningful. Walking regularly can help to keep the individual physically fit and tire them. Playing their favourite music may help reduce their restlessness.

Signs that an individual living with dementia may need 24-hour care

If your loved one is living with dementia, you may want to consider hiring a memory care facility. As the disease progresses, memory loss can become more severe and daily tasks can become more difficult to carry out independently. The individual may be more at risk of accidents within the home, as a result, they may be safer within their home, having a 24 hour carer there to support them.

The individual living with dementia may require increased support with personal care tasks, having a 24 hour carer living with your loved one, they can help maintain independence where possible an support where needed ensuring dignity is observed at all times.

Another sign that a loved one may need 24-hour care can be behaviour changes. The individual may not recognise their surroundings and they may become withdrawn. The individual may also become confused and disoriented, which can lead to physical and mental health problems.

Individuals living with dementia can be supported to live a full life, safely, by having a 24 hour carer with them. Individuals usually wish to remain in their own home and not to move away from what is familiar.

24 hour carers will be trained to support the individual living with dementia as their disease progresses, they understand how to support the individual who may need more help as their condition worsens. In some types of dementia, the individual may become more challenging to care for however understanding how to support the individual and help them rather than taking over, will usually have a calming effect.