I'm wondering if anyone has recent experience of looking for a care home for their PWD? Are you finding any particular difficulties?
The reason for asking is that I'm in this situation, trying to find a new care home for Dad, after his recent stay in a dementia assessment unit.
I've spoken to a number of care home managers and the 'story' is the same - no matter that someone may have had several negative tests, when they arrive in a new care home they have to remain in quarantine for 14 days. Recognising that this is extraordinarily difficult for anyone, let alone a new resident who has dementia, managers seem to have different approaches. One I spoke to will only admit one new resident every fortnight as she said the impact on staffing of trying to get someone to stay in a room for 14 days, was significant; another indicated that if someone couldn't adhere to quarantine rules, then he wouldn't admit them. (This was actually in to a specialist dementia unit)
And then I think of how the PWD may feel - moved in to a new environment, not knowing anyone or be known by anyone, it must be terrifying. You don't know where you are, you're not allowed to stray beyond the door, you can't go outside..... all the things that may help you settle, are forbidden.
It's dawning me on me that it requires an extraordinary level of care to manage that situation - and actually how few homes there are, that seem equipped to do so well.
So I'm curious to hear if anyone else has encountered a reluctance of care homes to admit new residents who have significant dementia?
The reason for asking is that I'm in this situation, trying to find a new care home for Dad, after his recent stay in a dementia assessment unit.
I've spoken to a number of care home managers and the 'story' is the same - no matter that someone may have had several negative tests, when they arrive in a new care home they have to remain in quarantine for 14 days. Recognising that this is extraordinarily difficult for anyone, let alone a new resident who has dementia, managers seem to have different approaches. One I spoke to will only admit one new resident every fortnight as she said the impact on staffing of trying to get someone to stay in a room for 14 days, was significant; another indicated that if someone couldn't adhere to quarantine rules, then he wouldn't admit them. (This was actually in to a specialist dementia unit)
And then I think of how the PWD may feel - moved in to a new environment, not knowing anyone or be known by anyone, it must be terrifying. You don't know where you are, you're not allowed to stray beyond the door, you can't go outside..... all the things that may help you settle, are forbidden.
It's dawning me on me that it requires an extraordinary level of care to manage that situation - and actually how few homes there are, that seem equipped to do so well.
So I'm curious to hear if anyone else has encountered a reluctance of care homes to admit new residents who have significant dementia?