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

If someone owns their own house and has very little savings, I understand that if they have to go into care, they won't have to sell the house to contribute to the cost of the care if their spouse is still living in the house. If the person in care passes away and then the spouse passes away afterwards, will the estate owe for the care home fees incurred?

I understand that if someone has to go into care, they don't have to contribute to the cost if they have under a certain amount of savings, and will not have to sell their house if their spouse still lives in the house. If the person in care passes away, then the spouse living in the house passes away afterwards, will the estate have to pay back the care home fees incurred?

How do you prevent dementia?

I was Head of a Dementia community at a Barchester home and would like to know why, on the one occasion you visited, you did not introduce yourself to me and offer support etc?

Omg so really interesting questions here

Questions that I didn't even know I needed answering

What are the most important things to look for when assessing whether a care home is the right place for someone with dementia?

When people are struggling with memory, familiar surroundings can be a comfort to them so the thought of removing a loved one from their home is a scary one as it has to be done right. What support would be available to help with this transition?

If the person in the care home can't remeber or express their views on the care they are recieving how can you check the quality of care being given?

How can you ever truly know how well your loved ones are being looked after because 9 times out of 10 they won't be able to tell you.

How does a care Home ensure the resident is getting a good mix of independence and support when living in a home? Is it risk assessed for how much additional support is required?

I would love to ask what do you do to cater for younger people with dementia? Or is it the same care plan and activities for an older person?

I'd like to hear more about therapeutic activities that care homes can undertake.

How would i know that the care given in a certain home will bhe right care for my loved one with dementia? Everyones dementia develops at different levels, will the nursing home be able to cope with all these at the same time?

In what ways do care homes allow independence whilst in a care home?
Do people with dementia in care get much chance to be outdoors?

Is there a thing similar to how ofsted assesses schools for care homes and how do we access it?

Despite having a DNAR in place and having written up an advanced care plan for my mother with severe Alzheimer's, our care home still insist on calling an ambulance and transporting my mother to hospital (against our wishes) whenever she becomes unwell. Is there any way we can avoid this and insist that she is not taken to hospital and simply made comfortable?

Are there any preventative measures for the disease?

My Mum has vascular dementia - at the moment it is just mild forgetfulness and confusion. However, we know this will obviously get worse. She insists that she never wants to go into any sort of home, but I know that it's a decision we may have to make at some time. I am her main carer and I don't know how/when this decision should be made. I also don't know how I could ever broach the subject with her. How could I tell her that she has to do something that she has made me promise will never happen?

I have a HUGE fear of dementia.....and have read much about the onset and signs but one nagging niggle that I have is how is 'the level' of dementia monitored within a care home setting? There are various levels and each obviously require different levels of intervention - can a care home really care with a mixture of 'severity' of levels and is it right to have those with mild dementia and those with more progressed dementia in the same care home ?

what are the best things to look for when choosing a care home?

How does moving into a care home affect the progress of dementia? We are concerned that the change in routines/lack of familiarity might create more confusion and upset and potentially speed up the onset of further symptoms.

What signs should I look out for in my parents? And is there any preventative treatments?

My nan is showing signs on early stage dementia? How do I go about talking with her about the prospect of care homes for the future?

What should you be looking for in a care home? My granddad has had to go in to a home as my Nana couldn't cope any more. He's very unhappy there and feels like he's been pushed aside. It's so sad and we all feel like we are winging it trying to find a good home for him.

Do care homes actually do anything to actively try to slow the process of dementia or do they merely cater to their occupants' physical needs and leave their mental health to deteriorate?