There are many factors that can contribute to an individual's quality of life whilst they reside in a care home, and one of them is the physical environment in which they live. Providing a dementia-friendly environment within a care home is extremely important in making sure each person with dementia feels comfortable in their new home which aids in improving overall well-being.
Dementiastatistics.org states that 944,000 people currently suffer from dementia in the UK, which is projected to increase in the future. In order to accommodate a person living with dementia, many dedicated dementia units are incorporated into a care home in order to provide high-quality care and support. At the beginning of their diagnosis, residents may only need small amounts of assistance with their daily tasks and gentle reminders throughout the day. As their dementia progresses, they will eventually reach a point where they become dependent on someone 24/7, for tasks such as personal care, medication management, dressing, washing, communicating and activities requiring fine motor skills.
There are multiple ways in which a care home can be adapted to accommodate those living with dementia including using signs above every door, contrasting colours of furniture around the home, wider hallways, personalised bedroom doors, memorabilia and assistive equipment. Providing a dedicated dementia unit has a positive impact on residents for a good quality of life. We have outlined the top 6 benefits of a dedicated dementia unit in a care home.
Residents with dementia can find it difficult to navigate themselves and can often experience uncertainty with their surroundings. Allowing them to personalise their doors and their bedrooms, makes it easier for a resident to identify which room is theirs, which will remove any feelings of confusion or agitation. A care home will also ensure the bedrooms within a dementia unit are spacious and safe by removing all clutter or any potential dangers to the residents. Mobility aids such as rails, profile beds and riser/recliner chairs will be available to help someone move around as independently as possible.
A dementia-friendly care home will have considered the following for their bedrooms:
As well as having a bedroom where a resident can enjoy their private space and a good night's sleep, offering an accessible, private bathroom is equally important. Providing an en-suite wet room is needed for dementia residents as they are able to complete many of their personal care tasks in close proximity to their bedrooms, making it easier for them as it is all in one place and accessible both day and night.
A dementia-friendly care home will have considered the following for their bathrooms:
There are many pieces of equipment and devices that can be used to benefit residents within the dementia unit including stair lifts, ramps, profiling beds, flood detectors and nurse call systems. This equipment will help residents complete their daily tasks with ease and reduce frustration or danger associated with everyday tasks.
A dementia-friendly care home will have considered the following for their equipment:
Lighting is one factor that is extremely important to those with dementia because residents need to clearly see their environment and make sense of it. Dementia residents need to be able to identify all signs, rooms, furniture and other people for peace of mind. Using effective lighting this will reduce falls and allow them to successfully partake in activities held within the care home.
A dementia-friendly care home will have to consider the following for its lighting:
In a dedicated dementia unit, residents should be able to easily recognise and find all dining areas and be able to make their way around freely. This means that they can live confidently and comfortably during their time at the care home, and enjoy independence where possible. Care homes also understand the impact that certain food smells can have on residents and their appetites so will use the food to evoke those feelings. Many care homes give residents the freedom to eat where they want and when it suits them, so if I resident prefers to eat elsewhere from the dining room, staff encourage this to ensure residents eat and finish their meals.
A dementia-friendly care home will have considered the following for its dining areas:
Within a dedicated dementia unit, the care home team will work hard to ensure the noise levels are reduced and each room for a good night’s sleep and no distractions during downtime. Calming and music or songs from the past can be played in each room to help with providing a relaxing ambience and block out any unwanted sounds.
A dementia-friendly care home will have considered the following for reducing noise:
In order to fully support a resident with dementia, care homes will incorporate the following:
Each care home will have its own dedicated care staff that are trained in the specific care type they work in. These individuals will work full-time, ensuring residents receive first-class care whenever they should need it.
As part of the facilities and amenities within a care home, a games & recreation programme is offered to residents. Activities coordinators will work with their teams to produce a weekly schedule where residents can partake in their favourite activities on a regular basis. These are to help support a person’s cognitive skills as well as use their fine motor skills through activities such as reminiscence activities, singing and dancing, social activities or arts & crafts.
Care homes with dedicated dementia units will provide their residents with an environment where they feel at home. Making sure each room is tailored specifically to their needs is extremely important when providing residents with the best quality of life.
Here at Queens View Harbour Care Home in Troon, we are a luxury care home offering unrivalled levels of specialist Dementia Care as well as Nursing Care, Residential Care and Respite Care. Our home is staffed with Care Assistants, Registered Mental Health Nurses and Registered General Nurses that ensure each resident lives the best quality of life in a safe and secure environment through a holistic approach to long-term care.
Our team collaborates closely with residents’ loved ones to make sure we look to cater to their needs in a way that satisfies everybody and offer our support to family and friends during this process. We are a private care home located by the sea and our mission is to ensure everyone is able to live the life they desire.
We want our residents to consider Queens View Harbour as their home away from home. We are proud of the luxury dementia unit we have created to ensure people living with dementia receive the highest level of care and support. We actively encourage residents to explore their hobbies both inside and outside the home through community events where residents can form lifelong bonds with like-minded individuals.
We would love to answer any questions you might have regarding our dementia care services at Queens View Harbour Care Home. We invite you to contact our friendly team by emailing info@queensviewharbour.co.uk or by calling us on 01292 435 971.
