Dementia and care homes

Deciding to move into a care home

There can be many positive aspects to moving into a care home.

These include:

• 24-hour support from care staff
• knowing that the person with dementia is in a safe place
• social activities with other residents

Sometimes the person themselves can make the decision. But the person with dementia often lacks the ability to decide (mental capacity).

If you or someone else has power of attorney, you can make the decision for the person with dementia, as long as it's in their best interests.

• Managing your affairs and enduring power of attorney

Try to talk to the person with dementia about their preferences regarding care in a home, even if they lack the capacity to decide what care home is best for them.

Getting an assessment

The first step towards choosing a care home is to get a new needs assessment from social services.

If the assessment suggests a care home would be the best option, the next step is a financial assessment (means test).

The financial assessment will show if the Health and Social Care )HSC) Trust will pay towards the cost of a care home.

In most cases, the person with dementia will be expected to pay towards the cost.

Social services can also provide a list of care homes that should meet the needs identified during the assessment.

• Arranging health and social care

The different types of care homes

There are two main types of care home:

• residential care homes
• nursing homes

Some care homes offer both residential and nursing care places.

Care homes can be run by private companies, voluntary or charitable organisations, or sometimes by HSC Trusts.

Both types of care home should have staffed trained in dementia care.

Residential homes

These provide personal care, such as help with:

• washing
• dressing
• taking medicines
• going to the toilet

These are sometimes called care homes without nursing.

Nursing homes

These provide personal care, as well as 24-hour care from qualified nurses. These are sometimes called care homes with nursing.

Tips on choosing a care home

One of the most important things to check when choosing a care home is the most recent Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) report.

You can get these from the RQIA or the homes.

When visiting a care home, spend time looking around and talk to the manager and other staff and residents.

It's useful to take a friend or relative with you as you can compare notes after your visit.

It's a good idea to make your own checklist before visiting care homes. These tips may help.

Things to consider include:

• location
• facilities
• staff
• residents

Further advice on finding the right home for you is available at:

• Choosing a residential care or nursing home

Paying for a care home

Who pays for care will depend on individual circumstances.

Your HSC Trust will work out how much you need to pay.

Further information is available at:

• Paying your residential care or nursing home fees