Care advice hub

This Dementia Action Week, we asked Dr Jane Pritchard, our experienced in-house Admiral Nurse to share her insights on dementia, the importance of early diagnosis, and the support available. Here’s what she had to say:

1. What exactly is an Admiral Nurse, and how does The Good Care Group support individuals with dementia?

As an Admiral Nurse, I’m a specialist dementia care nurse. The Good Care Group provides live-in care, which means a dedicated carer lives in the person’s home. This allows individuals with dementia to remain in their familiar surroundings, close to loved ones and their community.

2. Why is it so important to raise awareness about dementia, especially during Dementia Action Week?

Dementia affects nearly a million people in the UK, and it’s crucial to increase understanding of this condition. Raising awareness helps to reduce stigma, encourage people to seek help, and promotes early diagnosis, which can significantly improve outcomes.

3. Could you explain what dementia is and highlight some of the early warning signs?

Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that affect the brain, impacting cognitive abilities and decision-making. While the risk increases with age, it’s not a normal part of aging. Early signs can include short-term memory loss (like forgetting appointments), getting lost or disorientated, and difficulty finding the right words or names.

4. What are some common misconceptions about dementia that you’d like to address?

One common myth is that there’s no point in getting a diagnosis because nothing can be done. However, research shows that people want to know, and an early diagnosis allows for better planning, access to support, and even medication for some types of dementia. Another misconception is that dementia is just “senility” – this is not true, dementia is a medical condition, not an inevitable part of aging.

5. What are the benefits of receiving a timely dementia diagnosis?

A diagnosis empowers individuals to make choices about their future, access vital support services for themselves and their families, and potentially benefit from available medications and opportunities to participate in research. People with a diagnosis also tend to have shorter hospital stays and may be entitled to benefits and carer support.

6. What should someone do if they are worried about their memory or noticing dementia-like symptoms?

The first step is to talk to your GP. It can be helpful to bring someone with you who may have noticed things you haven’t. Don’t hesitate to ask for a longer appointment and consider writing down your concerns beforehand.

7. What does the diagnostic process typically involve after speaking with a GP?

The GP will take a history and may conduct some initial memory tests and a physical examination, including blood tests to rule out other causes. If further investigation is needed, they will refer you to a local memory assessment service or dementia team for a more detailed assessment, which might include brain scans.

8. What kind of support is available after receiving a dementia diagnosis?

Support is available through the local authority, which can conduct financial and needs assessments and help with appointing care agencies if needed. Charities like the Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK offer invaluable information, advice, and helplines. Dementia UK’s helpline even has Admiral Nurses available for specialist advice and emotional support.

9. How can people continue to live well with dementia?

It’s crucial to remember that a good quality of life is still possible with dementia. Early diagnosis makes it easier to achieve this by enabling access to the right support and strategies.

10. What is the key message you want to share during Dementia Action Week?

During Dementia Action Week, we urge people to learn more about dementia, understand how to get help, and know how to support those affected. Please visit the Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK websites for further information.

What is respite care?

Respite care is available in a variety of formats, such as in-home, visiting, or residential. It provides short-term support, allowing primary caregivers to take a break for their own well-being, or to address urgent situations like a recent injury or unforeseen family matters.

Discover more about respite care on our ‘What is Respite Care?’ page.

This article addresses common questions about respite care, such as duration, considerations, and planning, to help you and your loved one make an informed decision.

How long can you have respite care?

The length of respite care can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of respite care required, the individual’s needs, and the duration of the break taken by the primary caregiver.

Below are the different types of respite care, and how long they often last.

• Respite care visits: A carer will visit the individual’s home throughout certain intervals in the day or week, this form of respite care can be as short as a few hours.
• In-home respite care: As the carer will be staying within the home, this can range anywhere between two to eight weeks depending on the person’s circumstances.
• Day care respite: Day care respite offers a structured environment where individuals can receive care and support throughout the day, typically for a few hours at a time.
• Residential respite care: Involves staying within a care home for a few days or week. Each care home differs, so it’s best to do some research as stay lengths can differ.

Overall, respite care can be flexible, ranging from a few hours to several weeks. Discussing your loved one’s needs with different care providers and having a care consultation can give you an idea of what to expect.

Is there a limit to how long respite care can last?

Funding sources can influence the length of time someone will receive respite care, especially at home. Many individuals choose in-home respite care as a trial for live-in care, which can be more cost-effective in the long run.

Below we have provided you with some advice on how long self-funding respite care can last in comparison to it being funded by your local council or charity.

How long does self-funded at-home respite care last for?

Self-funded at-home respite care offers a high level of flexibility, allowing families to tailor the service to their specific needs.

When planning respite care, it’s essential to discuss preferred schedules and durations with the provider to ensure expectations are met. Ultimately, the length of care often comes down to budget, as private funding requires families to balance their care needs with what they can realistically afford.

The reasons for seeking respite could include:

1. To take a week off for a holiday: Respite care enables you to enjoy a planned holiday while having peace of mind that your loved one is well cared for.
2. To arrange regular time off each week or month: Regular respite allows for predictable breaks, helping you maintain your own well-being and to reduce the likelihood of caregiver burnout.
3. For short breaksfor personal matters: Respite care provides a few hours of relief for appointments, errands and work responsibilities that you may have.
4. When a longer period of respite is needed: If you require a longer period of respite, due to reasons like extreme burnout, or the need to take an extended trip, this can be organised.
5. For emergency respite: In unforeseen circumstances, emergency respite care can be arranged quickly to provide immediate support, whether that be for a family emergency or injury.

How long does at-home respite care last if funded by a local council or charity

The duration of respite care funded by a local council or charity can vary. Unlike self-funded respite care, there may be less flexibility, as the support is offered based on the individual’s assessed needs.

To find out more about your eligibility and the support available, you can contact your local authority. They will assess your current caregiving situation to determine if you need further assistance. The duration of support, whether short-term or long-term, influences how the council assesses entitlement to financial support.

Charities may have their own limits on respite care duration due to their own budgets and staffing. However, they will try to arrange care for as long as necessary.

Emergency respite care

Emergency respite care demands speed and responsiveness, as it may be needed due to a medical emergency, a fall, or a family crisis. The duration of emergency respite varies depending on individual circumstances but is typically short-term.

At The Good Care Group, we can arrange in-home respite care in under 24 hours. Our fully trained team of professional carers can provide a range of physical, practical, and social support while the primary caregiver is away.

Alternatively, in many emergency situations, another family member or friend can often step in to provide immediate cover. There are many options available, and the best plan can be determined by both you and your loved one.

Learn more in our ‘Guide to Emergency Respite Care’.

Planning for respite care

When planning for respite care, there are a number of steps to consider to help you make the right decision:

Step 1: Assessing your needs

When deciding the respite care options, it is important to assess why you need this, to identify the duration of time this is required, and whether it will be arranged frequently or on a one-off basis. Also, assess your loved ones needs also to make sure the option chosen is suitable for them.

Step 2: Respite care options

Filter the available options to find the most suitable choice for you, considering factors such as your budget and your loved one’s preferences, to determine the best option for both of you.

Step 3: Choose a provider

From there, you can start thorough research on the different providers out there, we recommend that you look at their Care Quality Rating (CQC), their website and reviews online to see about other peoples experiences.

With spring upon us, warmer weather and longer days offer the perfect opportunity for a fresh start, both physically and mentally. Getting outside, reconnecting with the community, and establishing healthy habits are all beneficial.

Regular exercise is key to maintaining overall wellbeing for older adults. However, we understand that mobility-related or cognitive conditions can make establishing a routine difficult.

Support from one of our professional carers, followed by the exercising tips in this blog (ranging from those for limited mobility to cognitive health conditions), can help you or your loved one enjoy these routines.

Exercise not only boosts mood in the short term but also protects against muscle deterioration and builds self-esteem by promoting activity and involvement. Older adults can exercise at home or join a group for added social interaction.

Safety considerations

Exercises should be supervised by a carer or another trained healthcare professional to ensure that your loved one receives adequate support and instruction.

Many live-in carers have occupational therapy experience, and are skilled in physiotherapy techniques. This means that they can review a person’s need, ability and personal preferences in order to support a specific, tailor made programme for the person in their care. The aim is always to help the individual enjoy exercising in a safe manner.

If any of the following symptoms occur during exercise, arrange an appointment with a GP immediately:

• Chest pains
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness

Exercises for people with limited mobility

Many exercises can be done from a seated position, but exercise in water can also be beneficial as it supports body mass and reduces strain on muscles.

These are some of the exercises that a healthcare professional may recommend for your loved one:

• Neck rolls: Place chin on chest, then roll it round to their left shoulder and back five times – repeat to the right shoulder.
• Arm stretches: Put arms out in front of them, link hands, then slowly raise and lower the arms above the head five times.
• Side twist: Turn the upper body to the side of the chair/wheelchair and hold for five seconds before repeating on the other side.
• Swimming: Try assisted low-impact swimming, using a comfortable range of strokes.
• Knee lifts: Hold the sides of the chair and lift each knee slowly in succession, holding for as long as is comfortable (around three seconds) before repeating.
• Leg circles: Raise the leg and use it to draw circles with the foot for 10 seconds, before repeating with the other leg.

Exercises for people with cognitive health conditions

These exercises provide an overview of the types of exercises that health professionals may recommend for the earlier and latter stages of dementia:

Early stages

• Walking: Walking is the simplest form of exercise and can help people get out of the house. It can also help maintain levels of social interaction.
• Dancing: The enjoyment of nostalgic tunes can help reduce feelings of anxiety, agitation and depression in people with dementia. Dancing adds a gentle element of exercise and social interaction.
• Swimming: When supervised, the sensation of water can be a soothing and relaxing experience.
• Indoor bowls: Joining an indoor bowls club is a great option for people who have enjoyed competitive sport, offering both health and social benefits.

• Bed shuffle: Shuffling from one end of the bed to the other in a seated position can help to strengthen core muscles.
• Balancing: From a standing position (with support if necessary), balance on one leg for 5 – 10 seconds before switching.
• Unsupported sitting: Sit unsupported for a few minutes each day (with supervision) to strengthen stomach and back muscles.

Find out how The Good Care Group can help your loved one stay active and independent, even as their needs change over time.