There are lots of difficult decisions that families have to make when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia. One of the most difficult is whether to keep your parent, partner or friend at home or move them into full-time care. This tough question is one that’s faced by most families living with dementia and the answer will vary from person to person. To help ensure you take the path that’s right for you, we’re taking a look at some of the most important things to think about when considering full-time care.

Cost

Cost is always going to be an important consideration when it comes to choosing care options. Although there is some financial support available to dementia sufferers and their families, the costs involved with dementia care can soon add up. In fact, the Alzheimer’s Society estimates that most people with dementia will end up paying around £100,000 for their care.

Unsurprisingly, keeping a loved one at home is generally a lot more affordable than moving them into full-time care. This is especially true if you can provide daily support for your loved one yourself. Healthcare workers and support staff can visit dementia sufferers at home to ease the burden on loved ones, however, on the whole, it will be friends and family providing primary care and support.

The cost of full-time care can vary dramatically depending on the needs of the sufferer, the standard of care they receive and the location of the care home. If the person with dementia has assets – including their house – of more than £23,250, they’ll be required to pay towards the costs of their care.

Care

If your loved one has only recently been diagnosed with dementia, you may well be able to provide them with the care they need at home. In the early stages of the disease, sufferers often only require a low level of support and can live happily at home with the help of a partner, friends or family.

However, as the disease progresses, sufferers often develop complex needs and require more constant care. If your loved one needs round-the-clock support, or if they have a range of medical needs, they may well be more comfortable in full-time care.

Comfort

Many people with dementia want to stay in their own homes as its more comfortable and more familiar. Familiar places and items can help dementia sufferers to recall memories and people, especially in the early stages of the disease. However, as dementia progresses they may not recognise their home, their family members or their belongings.

These days, most good-quality care homes are very comfortable. Residents often have their own rooms and many even have their own gardens. A lot of care homes also have spacious communal areas where residents can eat, socialise and relax as well as medical facilities and other support services.

Moving a loved one into full-time care is never an easy decision. To find out more about the help and support that’s available to dementia sufferers and their families, explore our site today.