Supporting People with Dementia
The number of people living with dementia is rapidly expanding, given our ageing population. Prior to becoming involved in the care sector in 2011, I was not aware how widespread this illness was or its impact on relatives and wider society. Today, it is affecting employment as workers try to juggle making a living with caring for elderly relatives. However, the number of people with dementia is increasing, and projections suggest it will continue to do so. Dementia is becoming more visible in our society, and it is affecting more families. As I have become older myself, it has now had an impact on my own family, and in July, a close friend’s father died of a dementia related illness. I have learned that the progression of dementia can vary, and whilst a progressive disease, the path each person experiences can differ widely. We have customers at Independent Living who have lived on their own with dementia for several years and coped well at home with care from family and carers. However, my own family experience of a loved one with dementia was different, with the disease progressing rapidly over two years, making it impossible for them to live alone.
Home Care for People Living With Dementia
People with mild/moderate dementia can often live at home safely at home with support from family and/or a care company like ours. We can help people get up, get dressed, provide personal care, prepare breakfast, and prompt medication. We can help people with tasks throughout the day and offer support to prepare for bed. To help customers, our carers can also provide companionship throughout the day, complete household duties, fetch shopping/prescriptions, and provide transport to appointments. Our services are flexible, which means they can differ week-to-week and day-to-day based on changing needs. Alternatively, care calls can be fixed, allowing certainty for clients and their families. Services from Independent Living help to lower the burden on relatives and can even be essential when families do not live locally. Over the years, it has not been uncommon for us to care for people when their next of kin lives or works overseas.
A moderate amount of care, perhaps 3-4 hours a day at home, works out much cheaper than a care home, and research usually proves most people do prefer to be in their own home, given a choice. My own experience of finding residential care in 2025 in North Yorkshire is that costs start at £1100 per week, and many care homes are now charging around £1500 per week. Care homes also charge extra for toiletries, hairdressing, transport to appointments, and related services. Inevitably, when people have severe dementia, they become unsafe at home, and they will need a purpose-built facility with 24-hour care. However, for many people with mild to moderate memory loss, care at home is a realistic possibility.
Can we help you and your family in the Chorley or Leyland area? Please call Lilian or Amanda in normal office hours 01257 696 050
