Dementia care options

If a person’s dementia means that they need specialist dementia care or support and are no longer able to live independently in their own home, there are lots of different care options available designed to meet their changing needs.

Moving home can be a stressful time, no matter your age or circumstances – and moving into a care home is no different. At Anchor, we do our best to make the move a positive and empowering one – our homes provide opportunities for residents to meet others, pursue interests and enjoy themselves.

When considering residential care options, it is important to visit care homes, meet the staff and see if the facilities meet the particular needs of you or your loved one. Facilities vary from home to home and, as a person’s needs may change with time, you should feel confident the home you choose offers the right level of care and support.

Wherever you look, asking about dementia expertise is a good idea. At Anchor, all of our care homes have staff trained to recognise the symptoms of dementia and offer expert support to residents in a compassionate and considered way, that meets their individual needs and preferences. All of our care homes are also supported by a member of our dedicated Care Quality team who provides on-going dementia training for all members of staff, as well as offering specialist information and support to everyone working in care homes providing dementia services.

It’s a good idea to create a shortlist of potential homes and then arrange to visit one or two with your loved ones so you can gauge their initial reaction. Lots of care homes will let you arrange a trial stay which can give a better idea of how they will settle into the new surroundings. A good place to start when searching for a care home is the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website as well as Carehome.co.uk. 

Anchor has produced a helpful ‘checklist’ to help families find the right care home for their loved ones - download it for free here.

Care homes

All good care homes should focus on being person-centered – where the care provided is tailored to
individual personal interests and abilities. Care homes provide 24-hour care and are most suitable for those who require regular or continual care. Residents have their own bedrooms and bathrooms but also share communal areas within one building. There are different types of care homes offering varying levels of care and specialist support. The care offered can always be adapted to meet the changing needs that living with dementia can bring – creating a home for life.

Specialist dementia care homes

Some homes offer tailored dementia care. This usually means that they have specially adapted living environments and can provide expert care for people living with dementia. Anchor has a number of homes across the country which have a range of distinguishing features such as more staff with advanced dementia training and specific dementia-friendly design elements, including sensory panels and specially designed outdoor spaces. Anchor’s West Hall care home in Surrey was the first English care home to implement a new care model which empowers its residents to control the choices that impact their everyday lives.