Ask a dementia care expert about care homes for dementia - chance to win £150 QUESTION SUBMISSIONS NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

In support of World Alzheimer’s Day, Barchester Healthcare is offering you the chance to ask a leading dementia care expert any questions you may have about care homes for people living with dementia and finding the right home for a loved one.

Caroline Baker, Director of Dementia Care at Barchester, has spent many years working with care services to ensure they are taking a person-centred approach that is based on the latest evidence and research in the field. She also deeply understands the emotional pressures involved in choosing a care home and how hard it can be supporting a friend or relative during this time.

Whether you would like to ask a question about yourself, a loved one, or have more general queries about care homes specialising in dementia care, please post your questions for Caroline before 5th October.

About Caroline Baker:
Caroline Baker is Director of Dementia Care at Barchester Healthcare, and has specialised in dementia for 30 years. She is also a published author and won a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 for her contribution to the sector. Her latest book ‘Visiting the Memory Café and other Dementia Care Activities’, was released in August.

About Barchester Healthcare:
Barchester Healthcare is a major UK care provider committed to delivering high-quality services across its care homes and hospitals. They pride themselves on offering expert dementia care in their specially designed Memory Lane Communities, where staff are trained to celebrate each person’s individuality and support people to continue living with independence, dignity and choice.

So, ask Caroline your questions about care homes for people living with dementia and finding the right home for a loved one by posting them below by the 5th October. We’ll then choose 20 questions for her to answer and post a link to the responses as soon as possible.

All who post a question below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £150 voucher (whether their question is chosen or not).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Why don't the government fund for the courses and qualifications for family members to understand and be able to care for their own instead of training people who obviously don't know what the word ' Care' means

My nan had dementia for 16 years, we kept her home because we wanted to care for her.
We would give her fresh pineapple juice and she was always more alert after this?

Do you think there's natural remedies that help patients with dementia?

What a fantastic support thread. More like this please!

There are some fabulous dedicated homes for people with dementia, why are there not more (so there are more spaces available and for closer to family) and is there anything we can do to help move towards more being created

How do we know when the time is right to find a care home?

What training do staff in care homes get for dealing with different types of dementia?

My father suffers from Lewey Body dementia associated with Parkinson's. He suffers from compulsive and intrusive thoughts that take the form of a dilemma or problem that has to be resolved. He has some awareness that these are not real but can't shake them until an acceptable solution has been presented. If this doesn't happen he gets increasingly agitated and will try and get out of bed in the night.

Unlike with most Alzheimer's, he does not respond to distraction or reassurance- something we have been told is common to Lewey Body dementia, yet the majority of professionals carers we have spoken to don't seem to understand this. We are concerned that if he were to go into a home he would have to be sedated regularly as his dementia would not be properly managed.

My question is what training do caters receive in dealing with different types of dementia, and is it really sufficient?

I would be interested to know if I am alone in my attitude towards this situation! My grandad is now 101 and has been in a home for a few years. Until his early 90s he was capably caring for my granny and until his late 90s he was amazingly capable and kept himself going mentally and physically. Now he is completely gone. He would not have wanted to live like this and I cannot bring myself to feel that it is fair or natural to keep someone alive with constant care in these circumstances. I don't know anyone else who feels the same way as I do...or at least I don't know anyone who is honest enough to say it aloud!

My mum is in a care home for dementia patients.
I love it there. She is happy (as much as she can be)
The staff are all lovely. The other clients always talk to me as well. My mum doesn't know who I am anymore but I still visit because I think it brightens their day for a little while.
My mum is just 63 yrs old.

happysouls

I recently wrote a DNR request for my mum.
I do have both POA's though.

That's be kindest thing I can do for her, I think.

What are the current care provisions available for a person diagnosed with Dementia.

My sister is suffering with dementia related to Parkinsons, plus other health related problems. At the moment she is at home being looked after by my BIL and carers. The "caring" for her is taking its toll on his physical and mental health, he has no life.
Should my sister (I feel its inevitable) end up in a home would my BIL be allowed to spend much time with her?.
She is obsessed at the moment that he wants to be "rid" of her, and it could not be further from the truth, and it worries him how much time he would be able to spend with her.

Do you look forward to a day when the carers are paid a decent wage for such an important job.

My step-grandfather is in the early stages of dementia (he's 86). He often gets up in the middle of the night, gets dressed and goes out into the garden then doesn't know why he's there.

My step-grandmother is worried he may start wandering the streets at night next as she doesn't always hear him get up.

We don't know whether to advise her to hide the keys to keep him safe and inside or if this then risks them not being able to escape in case of fire.

It is a very difficult situation. Any advice would be great, thank you.

Hi! I have quite bad memory since I was put on very strong medication. At what age I should look for a care home or save money for it.
How long does it take dementia to develope and what triggers it?

How qualified do you have to be to care for a Dementia patient. I only ask because I worked for a well known Care Home, I was 16, they barely interviewed me, and the second day after I started, I was left in charge of four elderly patients, two of which had dementia. It was scary, terrifying, and if anything had happened, I would have been stuck. I had no training, and was left in complete care of these poor people. I soon left, as I was too stressed to continue. hence my question. I am petrified of anyone I loved with Dementia or simple old age being left with those who simply are not trained. xxx

For any one wanting to learn more about dementia sign up for the mooc understanding dementia from the wicking institute university of tasmania. I have just completed the course and they will allow another sign uo soon. Its online and free and absolutely a good reference for families and people in the early stages.

Carriecakes you were badly let down by your employer . Im not sure how long ago that happened to you but even now the employers dont require much . On the job training is supplied where I am and its very good. You as a new start should have been with another member of staff at all times until your training and induction was complete.

I'd be interested to get some pointers on key things to look out for which would indicate that a home is delivering really high quality Dementia Care.

A relatives health has been in some decline over 18 months, it's really quite noticeable, but when you bring up the subject with people that should be taking action it's almost like they're in denial and ignoring it will make it go away. (I'm a GC, she has 2 DC)
I'm guessing adults enter dementia care when they can't handle the situation, I also wonder if part of the problem is the GP's worked hard & strived for the house, they don't want it being taken away to pay for care costs, which I do understand. Seeing as both GP worked from leaving school to either death or they couldn't work any more.

Looking at homes people will err towards names they know, but what are you looking for in a dementia home? What staff to client ratio at all times should you be looking for? Are there any benchmark standards that you should look for.

I saw on one programme this one home in an affluent area looks towards having old photos etc.

Should the home have a system or access to help the relatives monitor decline. Come to terms with what's happening?

Can a person with dementia be made to go into a care home if they don't want to if they are a danger to themselves?

What are the main differences between standard homes and those specifically for treating dementia?

How is it possible to evaluate the care a dementia sufferer receives when they can't always articulate it? Are there any red flag signs to look for?

I manage a day nursery and have made contact with a local dementia care home to have regular vista from a small group of nursery children
What sort of activities should we be doing?
I was thinking colouring in, singing and musical instruments, building with duplo and maybe a story time
Do these sorts of activities sound suitable?

I'd like to keep my mum at home for as long as possible, but at what stage should I be thinking about a care home? How long will it take from first getting in touch before getting a place?

My mother-in-law is 85 and lives in her own home she has started to leave the water running, forgetting to eat her meals and I fear that she may need an assessment. Her home, although dated has been a family home for 3 generations, and I really do not want it to have to be sold for her care home expenses. What legally can I do to keep this as a family home for my children ? What are the timescales, can it be gifted, or anything else ?