Living Alone
As we know, Dementia is a progressive condition that may eventually lead to full-time care for the majority of people who have it. This does not mean that a person cannot live alone once they have been diagnosed with Dementia. The length of time they will be able to safely live without full-time care will depend on the individual, the symptoms and type of Dementia, and how far the condition has progressed.
Support is the key to leading as normal a life as possible. Living in familiar surroundings and maintaining regular routines can be reassuring. With the right support a person who has Dementia can maintain their independence for a longer period of time than would be normally expected if they were left to their own ends. If you are a carer who is looking after someone with Dementia, and they would like to continue to live alone, you should discuss this in detail with the person you are caring for, friends, family members and experienced health professionals.
Awareness
If you are caring for someone who is living with Dementia you may want to tell friends, neighbours and key members of the community such as local shop assistants about the person you are caring for. This will be beneficial if the person you are caring for is out in the community and experiences a situation where they need assistance such as finding their way back home. People with dementia may not realise when they need help but they will find it easier to accept help if it is tactfully introduced at an early stage.
Make Helpful Information Accessible
A notice board with a list of helpful phone numbers (including emergency numbers) may be useful for the person with dementia, as well as for relatives or professionals visiting the home. This could include contact details for next-of-kin, local G.P. and hospital numbers and anything else that you feel would be useful. The notice board could also provide information such as the location of the stopcock, the gas and electricity meters and the first aid box. A week-at-a-time diary containing details about who is visiting and when, can also be helpful and reassuring for the person. A short checklist placed on, or near the front door can help remind the person to lock up, take their keys when going out or put on warm clothing. If medication is needed it may be important to have Dosset boxes available so that the person with Dementia does not become confused about the number of tablets they should be taking and when to take them.
Making Alterations to Your Home
You may need to look at some ways to make the home safer and more secure for the person you are caring for. There are a number of ways in which you can do this and more details can be found in the 'Environment' section.
Help with Managing Finances
Direct debit can be a useful way to pay all regular household bills. If this is not possible, or the person prefers to pay their own bills, then the relevant companies (gas, electricity, water, etc), should be informed. Consider offering an alternative contact number (i.e. for a family member), so that someone can be contacted should the person forget to pay a bill. Keep track of what is spent. Anyone handling money for someone with dementia should keep a careful account of what they spend, to avoid any potential problems later. Family members may want to know where the money is going, or the person with dementia may forget what has been arranged and, in some cases, even become concerned that people are stealing from them.
Outside Help
Home care workers and support workers can help with personal care after the person has been assessed by social services, and the person with Dementia agrees to receiving it. Depending on the person's abilities, visits will be arranged to cater for the person's needs and circumstances. In many instances the person with Dementia will have other illnesses which often lead to confusion over diagnosis. If possible, you should accompany the person to any medical appointments to ensure you are aware of any medication prescribed, and to stay up to date with the person's general health.
Additional day care services can also be arranged through social services. These services can provide facilities such as chiropody, hairdressing and bathing a number of times per week. Transport to and from any activities is also usually provided. There are also organisations that run local drop in centres, clubs or befriending services, where volunteers will come out to the person's home to keep them company, or accompany them on outings.
