Supporting Your Loved One Through the Later Stages of Dementia

Specialist dementia care at this time of your loved one’s life focuses heavily on person-centred care to ensure they are comfortable and have a routine that works for them.

At The Bill House, we understand that providing the best support for your loved ones through the later stages of dementia is important. Our care is tailored to each resident and their specific needs. Every resident is different, and their needs may change as their illness progresses, but our approach means families can rest assured that their loved one is receiving the best care possible.

What to expect in the later stages of dementia

There are three stages of dementia: early, middle and late, sometimes referred to as mild, moderate and severe. Dementia is a progressive condition, meaning that the changes which occur vary by stage and individual, but generally, these changes involve a decline in cognitive, emotional and physical abilities.

When your loved one reaches the later stages of dementia, you should expect them to experience a severe cognitive decline which can lead to an inability to communicate using recognisable speech, or no speech altogether. They may also experience a loss of physical mobility, like walking, sitting and eventually, swallowing. Your loved one might become extremely vulnerable and susceptible to other illnesses due to a weakened immune system.

How to support dementia residents at this stage of illness

It is important to ensure your loved ones are receiving the right level of support during the later stages of dementia, especially since their symptoms will begin to worsen.

At this stage, your loved one is likely to become reliant on others for care. This is when the focus of looking after your loved one shifts to comfort, dignity and increasing quality of life with specialist dementia care. Through person-centred care, dementia residents at The Bill House receive support through simple and clear communication in a calming environment and we ensure the comfort of your loved one through physical care, sensory activities and emotional reassurance.

What families can do to support their loved ones through the later stages of dementia

If your loved one is receiving specialist dementia care during the later stages of dementia, you may be unsure how you can support them. It is important to remember that families play an essential role in the care of a loved one living with dementia.

Maintaining communication and connection with your loved one is crucial as part of their care. By visiting regularly, using sensory connection and talking to them even if they can’t respond, as well as personalising your loved one’s space with images and other familiar objects, you are helping maintain an important connection to your loved one.

By collaborating with carers, like our specialist team at The Bill House, you can ensure your loved one is getting the right level of care and support whilst in a specialist dementia care home. From sustaining a suitable daily routine to offering other important activities, like relaxation therapies, specialist dementia care is tailored not only to help your loved one but to ensure that families feel supported during this difficult time.

How specialist dementia care at The Bill House can support your loved one

Finding the right care home for your loved ones is extremely important, especially if they require specialist dementia care.

From knowing how to recognise when it’s time for residential care to understanding the advantages of long-term care for our loved ones, a dementia diagnosis comes with several daunting complexities which may leave you worried about how to give your loved one the specialist dementia care they deserve at this time.

At The Bill House, our facilities are designed to support your loved ones through the later stages of dementia. Our carers and staff are expertly trained to support independence for residents but provide round-the-clock care when it becomes necessary.

Contact us to learn more about what to expect when moving into our care home and find out what we can offer for you and your family as you navigate providing specialist dementia care to your loved one.