Dementia Nursing Homes

In the UK studies have shown that one in three people will end their lives suffering from some kind of dementia. Many of these people will be helped at this stage of life by spending their final years at care in dementia nursing homes. This can be helpful for dementia suffers who have no one to care for them at home, giving them 24 hour care and a comfortable environment with facilities to suit their requirements.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a term that is used to describe a person`s condition when specific symptoms have affected the brain causing it not to function as it once did, it is a common occurrence in the elderly. Common symptoms of dementia are:

• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Speech, language and communication problems
• Problems with understanding

There are different forms of dementia, common ones are:

• Alzheimer`s disease
• Vascular dementia
• Young onset dementia
• Dementia with lewy bodies

What do dementia nursing homes provide?

If you are a friend or relative of someone that is suffering from the effects of dementia then dementia nursing homes can be extremely beneficial to both parties. Caring for a person who is suffering from the dementia at home can be hard, especially for those who are untrained with the disease. On the other hand it is vital that the sufferer receives the right care and assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dementia nursing homes either have dementia care throughout the full home or care is provided in dedicated areas by competent, qualified nurses. They are set up to create a comfortable environment for the patient, which allows them as much independence as possible along with mental and physical stimulation to promote well- being.

Dementia nursing homes have features that are designed specially to suit those with the condition. Memory boxes are good design which allows the resident to access personal items such as photographs of family and friends, certificates and other personal items that can be used as memory triggers, these boxes are placed on the outside of each bedroom. Bedroom doors have personalised name plates which can aid in recognition to the residents.

Most nursing homes also landscaped gardens for the patients to wander around in or just sit out in the sun, giving them piece of mind and an escape from the home from time to time, all gardens will be fully secured to ensure the safety of patients that do tend to wander. Sensory gardens are helpful in stimulating sensed through the use of bright colours, smells, sounds and textures.

Having coloured bathroom doors and toilet seat to make for easier visibility can help patients identify the bathroom with ease.

Some dementia nursing homes offer facilities for patients who have a tendency to be awake during the night, these are known as night owl clubs. These clubs can provide food and fun activities for patients to enjoy. Homes can also provide dedicated therapy rooms to aid patients in reminiscing and trigger memories.