How Can Person-Centred Care Support Those Living With Dementia?
When individuals experience the early stages of dementia, they are typically able to continue their day-to-day life independently or with small amounts of support from a family member or part-time carer. However, as their symptoms develop, it is important to begin considering transitioning the person with dementia into a care home.
For individuals with dementia, living a fulfilling and independent life can often be challenged by symptoms like memory loss, confusion, and mood changes. Person-centred care provides a tailored approach to dementia care that prioritises each individual’s needs, preferences, and personality, helping them lead a life with greater dignity and comfort. By emphasising personalised, compassionate care, person-centred care supports residents in both physical and emotional ways and leads to them enjoying an improved quality of life.
Understanding the Role of Person-Centred Care For Those With Dementia
Person-centred care is built around the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. It is designed to create supportive, respectful environments that acknowledge the unique personalities and histories of each resident. This approach is especially beneficial in dementia care, as it helps residents maintain a sense of self and control whilst reducing feelings of isolation. Person-centred care involves understanding the individual’s personal history, interests, and preferences, which care home teams can use to provide meaningful, familiar support to improve the resident’s daily life.
Supporting Residents' Daily Lives Through Personalised Care Plans
A personalised care plan is a fundamental part of delivering person-centred care. This type of care plan is created through meetings with the resident, their family members, and professional carers prior to their move-in date to ensure it is tailored to the individual’s unique needs, preferences, and daily routines. Care plans can include hobbies or personal interests, such as gardening, arts and crafts, or favourite music genres, which encourage engagement and bring joy to daily life. Activities coordinators can take note of these and incorporate their preferences into their weekly activities programme.
Whether people with dementia are residing in a nursing home or care home setting, a personalised plan also helps them feel more at ease as soon as they move in which provides a sense of familiarity and routine despite being in new environments.
Care Home Environments and Their Role in Enhancing Well-Being for Dementia Care
The environment in a care home plays a significant factor in enhancing the well-being of residents living with dementia. Dementia-friendly environments are purposefully designed to help reduce confusion, stress, and agitation, with spaces tailored to support the needs of residents. Familiar sensory cues such as their favourite music, comfortable furnishings, and visual reminders can create a homelike atmosphere, which makes residents feel more secure and at ease. The thoughtful design of care home environments can also improve cognitive function and quality of life by providing stimulation in a way that is calming rather than overwhelming.
Residents are also encouraged to personalise their en-suite bedroom with any furniture they wish, making it feel like their own home. Group activities and shared spaces also allow residents to connect with others and feel part of a community, which further supports their emotional well-being.
Benefits of Person-Centred Care
Understanding the benefits that person-centred care can bring is essential when looking for a care home that provides the highest quality care. It is important to remember that this care approach benefits not only the person with dementia but their family members and the care home teams too.
Promoting Independence and Maintaining Dignity
Maintaining the independence and dignity of each individual is crucial in dementia care, and person-centred care supports these goals by respecting residents’ needs and preferences. Even with progressive dementia symptoms, residents can continue to make choices regarding their daily activities like meals, clothing, and activities or trips out. This autonomy helps residents retain a sense of independence and dignity. With this, it can reduce agitation and any feelings that can accompany living with dementia including loneliness, difficulty with speech and memory loss.
Rather than solely focusing only on medical needs, person-centred dementia care seeks to honour the individual’s choices and allow them to continue doing the things they love most. This approach also enhances self-esteem and contributes to a fulfilling and comfortable day-to-day life.
Support and Peace of Mind for Residents and Their Loved Ones
Introducing a person-centred approach to care shows first-hand to both the person with dementia and their loved ones that care homes prioritise them as an individual. This will encourage them to seek the care home for any additional support needed, creating better relationships and an environment where everybody feels safe and welcome. Even for those receiving respite care, their loved ones can enjoy peace of mind that each resident is receiving the highest quality of dementia care.
Care teams provide a compassionate, understanding presence that creates a sense of community and belonging. Family members are encouraged to stay involved and spend time with our residents, offering further insights into their personalities and preferences.
Improved Quality of Dementia Care
With an emphasis on individual needs and holistic support, person-centred care prioritises well-being over uniform treatment. This results in an overall improvement in the quality of care and satisfaction for both residents and their families, making it an ideal care approach in care homes offering not only dementia care but residential care, nursing care and respite care too.
Improved Communication Between Caregivers
Person-centred care allows caregivers to coordinate and tailor care, making sure each resident’s preferences and health needs are consistently met. This collaborative approach improves the quality of care and ensures continuity, so residents receive familiar, empathetic care that aligns with their individual care plan. Open communication between team members and families also builds a shared understanding and a more in-depth knowledge of those with dementia, meaning everyone involved can further support the resident’s emotional and physical well-being.
Person-centred care is an invaluable approach to dementia care that is not only respectful but also genuinely understanding of the individual’s unique needs and history. For residents living in a care home in Dartmouth, the person-centred approach means a higher quality of life, greater dignity, and a nurturing environment where they are seen, heard, and valued.
Our Person-Centered Dementia Care at The Fleet Care Home
At The Fleet Care Home, we offer exceptional levels of dementia care as well as nursing care, residential care, respite care and palliative care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We adopt a person-centred approach to care which puts our residents at the forefront of everything we do. Alongside our first-class care services, we offer a number of purpose-built facilities that improve their quality of life including a varied activities programme, expansive gardens, a hairdressing salon, the cove bistro and a library.
Our care home is ideal for those experiencing different stages or types of dementia including Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body and Vascular dementia. Our dedicated and welcoming team are available around the clock for any questions you may have or any support you require. We hold regular in-house events and family members and friends are invited to join us to spend time with their loved ones and see how our residents are thriving whilst in our care.
To find out more about our luxury care home in Devon or to see our care environment in action, book a tour and meet our expert team today! We look forward to hearing from you.
