Dementia Home Care

How does dementia care at home work?

We believe that people belong at home, so our dementia care services are designed to ensure that your loved one stays in the space they love, enjoying the type of personalised support they need. 

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to support, so we’ll work with you and your loved one to gain a strong understanding of their needs, which we’ll develop into a one-of-a-kind dementia support plan. Whether it’s help with everyday errands, support to stay socially connected, or assistance with personal care, our dementia care plans are designed to offer your loved one the dignity and independence they deserve.

As dementia is different from person-to-person, what’s included in our dementia home care plans varies, but often includes:

• Help with bathing, dressing, and toileting
• Fetching prescriptions and managing medications
• Support with household chores (e.g. tidying and laundry)
• Preparing healthy meals
• Collecting groceries
• Assistance to attend social events and community groups

Whatever shape your loved one’s care takes, it’ll be delivered by a friendly, compassionate care expert who’ll offer practical and emotional support. We’ll even make sure to match your loved one with a care expert we feel they’ll get along with, allowing them to build an easy, comfortable rapport.

Our mission is to help your loved one live life on their terms, safe in the knowledge that their needs are taken care of, no matter what.

Living with dementia

Dementia is a challenging condition that affects those living with it in a variety of ways, impacting from memory to concentration and beyond.

As the disease progresses, many people find themselves increasingly isolated, cut off from friends, family, and cherished pastimes. That’s why personalised dementia care is so important—it keeps people connected. 

While not everyone will experience the same symptoms in the same order, at the same severity, common symptoms of dementia include: 

• Memory loss
• Mood and behavioural changes
• Communication issues (such as struggling to find words)
• Difficulty planning and organising 
• Delusions and hallucinations
• Problems with movement and coordination
• Depression and anxiety
• Paranoia

 These symptoms can vary in severity and be greatly debilitating, but with the right type of support, tailored to individual needs, it’s possible to live a rich, fulfilling life.

What is the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia ?

While often used interchangeably, dementia and Alzheimer’s don’t mean the same thing, which can cause a great degree of confusion. 

Dementia is an umbrella term referring to several severe conditions that cause significant damage to the brain, which worsens over time.

Alzheimer’s refers to a specific type of dementia, which statistics have shown to be the most common form of the condition.

Benefits of Dementia & Alzheimer’s home care

Whether it’s staying connected to friends and family, maintaining routines, or enjoying a tasty, nutritious diet, dementia home care poses a variety of benefits, all designed to improve your loved one’s quality of life. 

It also provides the type of focused support and attention that a residential care home simply can’t offer; matching your loved one with a dedicated care expert who’ll learn their unique needs and preferences to offer tailored support.

Your loved one will also get to stay in the comfort and familiarity of home, which has been proven to reduce anxiety, improve self-worth, and boost overall well-being. 

And for you, there’s the peace of mind that your loved one’s needs are taken care of, with any changes monitored and responded to instantly.

Types of Dementia & Effects on the Brain

 There are several major types of dementia, each presenting and progressing differently and having a different impact on the brain. The most common types of dementia are:

Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is often used interchangeably with dementia, but it’s actually a type ofdementia that affects memory, cognition, behaviour, and personality. In later stages, the condition can feature delusions and hallucinations Typically affecting older people, Alzheimer’s is caused by an abnormal build-up of proteins around the brain.

Vascular or multi-infarct dementia

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia in the UK and is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often from strokes, haemorrhages, and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). 

Symptoms of vascular dementia can include memory problems, concentration issues, slowed thinking, and difficulty planning and problem-solving. 

The condition can also feature physical issues such as difficulty walking, balancing, or urinating.

Dementia with Lewy bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies is a rare type of dementia, affecting only 4% of people living with dementia. Symptoms vary from person-to-person, but can include confusion, memory loss, hallucinations, dizziness, and depression. 

Often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s based on the overlap between symptoms, dementia with Lewy bodies is caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain.

Fronto-temporal dementia e.g. Pick’s disease

Fronto-temporal dementia is caused by an abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain, which steadily destroys brain cells, leading to symptoms such as apathy, loss of empathy, issues with speech and language, and loss of inhibition. 

It typically presents in people aged 45-65, much younger than other types of dementia.

Signs and symptoms of dementia

As dementia is an umbrella term and not a diagnosis in and of itself, the symptoms a person experiences can vary based on the type of dementia they have, the area of brain cells affected, and even the stage of dementia they’re in. 

The signs and symptoms of dementia can vary hugely person-to-person, appearing at different stages of the condition, and even at different severities. In some cases, symptoms can occur in earlier stages only to disappear entirely later on.  

That said, several common symptoms can occur in all types of dementia and worsen as the disease progresses, such as: 

• More frequent memory loss, forgetting people, places, or events
• Slower than usual thinking speed, difficulty finding the right words
• Periods of mental confusion
• Difficulty understanding or making decisions
• Impaired reasoning, inability to make judgments, plan, or carry out tasks that require concentration
• Changes in personality or mood, disinhibited behaviour
• Increased apathy or lack of interest in activities
• Withdrawn due to a loss of confidence or inability to manage everyday tasks and communication
• Hallucinations, hearing or seeing things that others don’t
• Loss of sense of time

Dementia Diagnosis

Diagnosing dementia is a complex, multi-step process that starts with visiting a general practitioner to rule out any other conditions with similar symptoms by conducting cognitive assessments, blood tests, and memory exams. 

It’s worth noting that there’s no precise threshold between ‘mild cognitive impairment’, such as memory loss, and a clinical diagnosis of dementia. In many cases, dementia is only definitively diagnosed post-mortem. 

As such, your loved one’s GP will begin by conducting tests to find out if symptoms are being caused by another treatable condition, such as a urinary tract or chest infection, constipation, thyroid deficiency, brain tumour, depression, emotional upheaval or a side effect of medication.

Once a GP has ruled out other conditions, they’ll refer your loved one to a dementia specialist, such as an old-age psychiatrist, geriatrician, or neurologist, who’ll conduct more specific tests to determine the type and severity of dementia. 

Once other causes have been eliminated, the GP is likely to make a referral to a specialist such as a neuro-psychologist or psychiatrist. They may:

• Talk to your loved one and those closest to them
• Use a tool to test memory and thinking (such as the Mini-Mental State Examination)
• Arrange a brain scan
• Carry out a physical examination

Dementia care & support options

Our mission is to empower your loved one to live life on their terms, no matter what that means to them, with tailored dementia support plans designed to help them maintain their dignity and independence.

We’ll match your loved one with a friendly, experienced care professional who’ll offer flexible support in the comfort and familiarity of home.

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to dementia care, so we’ll work with you and your loved one to produce a dementia support plan that reflects their unique needs and preferences. This will look different for everyone, but might include:

• Personal care: Such as bathing, dressing, and grooming
• Mobility support: Helping your loved one move safely around their home
• Nutritional support: Such as meal planning, preparation, and making sure your loved one stays hydrated
• Housekeeping: Including light household tasks like cleaning and laundry
• Emotional Support: A sympathetic ear when times are tough and companionship to stave off isolation
• Home safety: From installing night lights to removing trip hazards
  
  
  

FAQ

Do you provide dementia home care all over Ireland?

Yes. Bluebird Care’s dementia care services are accessible across Ireland, with local offices in both urban and rural locations. Use our online tool to find your local provider.

What are the signs somebody needs dementia or Alzheimer’s care?

 It can be difficult to identify that your loved one needs dementia care, but several signs might prompt you to consider additional help, such as if they’re neglecting self-care, experiencing more intense confusion and disorientation, or struggling to manage basic everyday household tasks.

Do dementia patients do better at home or in a nursing home?

People with dementia typically thrive in comfortable, familiar environments where they can receive the type of focused, tailored support that meets their needs.

Can you tailor dementia care to individual’s needs?

Yes. Our dementia care plans are tailored to your loved one’s unique needs and preferences and can be amended in real-time to address any changes.