Dementia Care at Home vs a Care Home: Which Is Right for Your Loved One?

Dementia Care at Home

For many people living with dementia, remaining at home for as long as possible is their preferred choice. Familiar surroundings established routines and treasured memories can all provide comfort and reassurance, particularly as the condition progresses.

With the right support, many people continue living safely and independently at home while receiving personalised care that adapts as their needs change.

At Right at Home Solent, we support families across Southampton, Fareham, Gosport and the surrounding areas with tailored dementia care. Our Care Assistants take time to understand each person's routines, interests and preferences, allowing care to be delivered in a way that feels familiar and reassuring.

Many families tell us that one of the greatest benefits of home care is the peace of mind it brings. Knowing that their loved one is receiving one-to-one support in the place they know best allows families to spend more quality time together rather than worrying about day-to-day care.

Our Dementia Support Programme

Every person living with dementia experiences the condition differently, which is why personalised care is so important.

Our Dementia Support Programme begins with getting to know the individual, not just their care needs but also their hobbies, interests and daily routines. This allows us to create a personalised care plan that reflects what matters most to them.

Our specially trained Dementia Care Assistants provide support that helps people remain engaged in everyday life, maintain familiar routines and continue enjoying activities that bring them comfort and confidence.

Families often tell us they notice positive changes when consistent support is introduced. While dementia is a progressive condition and there is currently no cure, personalised care can help people maintain their independence and quality of life for as long as possible.

When Might a Care Home Be the Right Choice?

Although many people can continue living at home for several years with the right support, there may come a stage where their needs become too complex to manage safely in their own home.

As dementia progresses, some individuals require round-the-clock supervision or specialist nursing support that may be better provided within a residential care setting.

Choosing a care home does not mean anyone has failed. It simply means finding the environment that best supports the person's safety, wellbeing and quality of life.

Every family's journey is different, and the decision should always be based on the individual's changing needs.

Dementia Care in a Care Home 

(Written by Chris Roby at The Care Whisperer) 

In a similar way to the Dementia Specialist, most care homes will provide dementia care in a person-centred way. This enables staff to better understand the person by having knowledge of their hobbies and interests, and perhaps their working life, which helps tailor activities. This approach is probably the same for the other types of care being provided by the home, so what makes dementia care different?

Staffing Ratio's

Dementia care in care homes can come in different forms, but most importantly it is provided in a secure environment where additional staff are required. The need for additional staff stems from the care needs and behaviours of the residents who live there, with the ratios usually running around 1:4 or 1:5. These ratio’s are higher than you will find in a purely residential setting, which would normally run at around 1:7, and is of course different from the role of the Dementia Specialist which is provided on a 1-1 basis in the persons own home.

Staff Training

Like the Dementia Specialist role, staff within a dementia setting are provided with additional training to help them better understand dementia. For example, it is often suggested that staff shouldn’t necessarily correct someone who is living with dementia, because in their world what they are saying holds true, and so disagreeing with them can sometimes cause further confusion. Staff are also more aware of the impact dementia has on a person’s memory and decision making. Again, an example could be the use of show plates in the dining room, where a person is shown different plates of food rather than asked what they want to order from a menu, thus supporting the person to remain independent for as long as possible.

Dementia Care at Home or a Care Home?

Neither option is better for every person.

For someone in the earlier stages of dementia, remaining at home with personalised support may help them continue living independently for longer.

As needs change, a care home may become the most appropriate choice, offering specialist facilities and round-the-clock care.

The important thing is that families understand the options available and feel supported when making decisions.

Finding the Right Support

Choosing between dementia care at home and a care home is one of the biggest decisions many families will make, and it is rarely something that needs to be decided overnight.

Taking time to understand the options, asking questions and seeking professional advice can help families make decisions with confidence.

At Right at Home Solent, we are here to provide guidance as well as personalised dementia care across Southampton, Fareham, Gosport and the surrounding areas. Whether you're exploring support for the first time or planning for the future, our friendly team is always happy to help.