When should someone with dementia receive 24-hour care?

Dementia is progressive, which means the person with the condition will require more care and support as time goes on. Being a caregiver to your loved one is not easy and at some point, you may feel burnt out. It can become more demanding as symptoms get worse. If you are a family member or caregiver, it may become difficult to decide at what point your loved one needs 24-hour care. Dementia homecare can be a great relief and take the weight off your shoulders.

Common questions you may ask are:

• When is the right time for someone with dementia to receive 24-hour care?
• How do you make this decision?
• Who should make this decision?

These are tricky and tough decisions to make, both for practical and emotional reasons. On this page, we have shared signs that will aid in determining the right time to hire a professional caregiver.

What are the signs?

Aggressive behaviour

Physical or violent behaviour frequently occur as a person’s dementia progresses. Reasons for the person’s behaviour could include memory loss, language or orientation problems, pain or discomfort that they are unable to communicate, their physical surroundings, a sense of being out of control and frustration and confusion at not being able to do things. Overall this can be very distressing for the person and those around them.

Caregiver stress

Giving care to people with dementia is not easy. The overwhelming needs of the loved one can make the caregiver frustrated and stressed. Early symptoms of caregiver strain include anger, anxiety, social withdrawal, exhaustion, depression and denial. If you feel that you have little to no support for yourself then it is time to get a professional caregiver.

Home safety

It is important to consider your loved one’s health and their ability to care for them. As your loved ones’ dementia progresses, they are prone to domestic accidents such as trips and falls around the home, if you are not around. This is a sign that they will need constant monitoring to prevent this from occurring. 24-hour care will become integral for home safety.

Forgetfulness

People with dementia experience memory loss which gradually increases with time and starts interfering with daily life activities. This is because dementia is caused by damage to the brain which can affect areas of the brain involved in creating and retrieving memories. The person may forget daily chores or not pay attention to their hygiene. As memory loss becomes more persistent, it may be time to hire a 24-hour professional caregiver.

Mobility

As dementia progresses, the person with Alzheimer’s will become unable to function and eventually lose control of movement. Dementia affects coordination and balance and the affected person may gradually lose their ability to walk, stand or get themselves up from the chair or bed. Wandering and becoming lost is common among people with Alzheimer’s disease. A person with dementia may wander because of many reasons including stress or fear or following past routines. The patient at this stage should not be left alone.

Sundowning

Sundowning is a term used for changes in behaviour that occur in the evening, around dusk. Some people who have dementia experience a growing sense of agitation or anxiety at this time. They may also experience sleeping problems or increased confusion, anxiety, pacing and disorientation. Sundowning can drastically affect the routine of the family and creates a distressful environment. If your loved one is showing symptoms of sundowning, it may be time to consider hiring a professional caregiver.

How can Cavendish Homecare help?

At Cavendish Homecare we are experts in providing dementia homecare for clients who want to remain in their own homes. When it comes to your health and well-being, choosing the right homecare package is of utmost importance and navigating this process can be overwhelming. With Cavendish Homecare by your side, you’ll have the support you need to remain safely at home while enjoying elevated health and wellbeing.

If you would like to enquire about our homecare services, contact us on, 02030085210 or email us at info@cavendishhomecare.com.

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