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

What should I look for in a care home when trying to choose one for my parents?

What support avenues are there available for relatives of those suffering with dementia?

I can't imagine there are many things as emotionally harrowing as watching the people who have raised you become infirm and possibly distressed.

can demetia be cured with medication? is it hereditary?

I'd like to know at what point a residential home is better than continuing care at home

Given the shortage of care home places, how can you choose a home rather than simply the least worst option when your relative needs one?
We were lucky that my grandma did get into a specialist Alzheimers home when needed, but it was too far for any family to visit more than once a week - though soon she didn't notice anyway. I suspect though my mother will need one at some point, probably if something happens to my dad.

When you are worried about a loved one who’s memory is coming and going how do you get help, especially when they don’t want to face up to this themselves. If I bring it up it is upsetting but if I worry by ignoring the problem she is missing out on drugs that could slow the progression. Can I visit her gp in confidence for advice?

My dad has Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia and is cared for at home by my mum. It took eight months to get a diagnosis and we haven’t been offered much in the way of advice or help at all.
If / when we need to look at a care home for him what specifically should we be looking for and what questions should we ask of the care staff?

Why are care home fees so expensive and yet the wages (as I understand it) of the carers who work there so low?

What are the costs of a care home?

People always say you should be asking lots of questions but what exactly are the right questions you should be asking the staff when you visit these homes?

are there any early signs of dementia?

Under the local authority only one care home would touch mum and her behaviour, we are now paying £1100 a week for care. We have been put in a corner. She has settled down as from what I am being told her behaviour is not too bad now. What options do we have? Is there scope to negotiate her rate and when are we likely to see the dementia tax coming into force and if it does would we still qualify? Or is it for new cases only. The system is flawed.

What are the best ways to support the carers of st home dementia patients? I am specifically thinking about family members who are full time carers for a dementia patient..

Placemarking. FiL has dementia and these questions are all really relevant.

If my relative ultimately has to leave her home and go into residential care, what suggestions can you make to family members to maintain that 'link'. It's hard enough when you're not recognised in familiar surroundings, I worry about how family relationships may deteriorate further out of the home :(

What is the best way of finding a house me that can care for someone who has dementia as well as other health/care needs? And when this is the case, who best to talk with to help navigate the minefield of health vs social care funding?

How do you manage recruitment and retention of staff, in particular male staff? A recent experience with my father-in-law highlighted to us the importance and need for male nurses within a nursing home.

When looking at signing a contract with a care home, what parts of the small print do you recommend paying particular attention to?

How do you persuade your mother (or father) that they need to have proper care

What types of care are appropriate as dementia progresses?

My dad has had a diagnosis of dementia for about 5 years now; but the progression seems to be speeding up & we are trying to find the best care.

He could not live independently, but isn't "severe" enough for a care home - what would you suggest for these mid-stages?

What would you personally be looking for if you were seeking a care home for a relative with dementia? Are there any signs that immediately suggest a care home is not suitable?

What exactly causes people to die of dementia? And does this apply only to Alzheimer's or to vascular dementia too?

If looking into dementia care homes or services for a parent, what should I look out for as 'good practice ' in the sector?

Should you tell somebody with dementia bad news? Particularly if you'll have to keep doing so as they won't remember?

Why are care homes so expensive? My Dad has early onset dementia and my parents have their own home so will stand to lose everything they have worked their whole lives for should he need to go into a home

How do you support a person with dementia (and their family) when they are being cared for in a family environment but need to stay in a care facility for a week or two weeks holiday respite care?