Caring for an older loved one diagnosed with dementia is an emotional and often exhausting journey. Families want to do everything possible to support their loved one at home for as long as they can. Yet there may come a point when home is no longer the safest or most suitable place for their needs. Recognising this turning point is difficult, but understanding the signs—and knowing what steps to take next—can help families make informed, compassionate decisions.
This article explores the key indicators that it may be time to consider residential care, the benefits that specialised dementia care homes can offer, how to approach this delicate decision as a family, and what to look for when selecting a dementia-friendly aged care provider.
At Support Services Connect Australia (SSCA), we understand how stressful this transition can be. Our free care finding service in Melbourne helps families compare aged care providers, navigate the system, and find a trusted home where their loved one can be safe, supported, and respected.
Recognising When Dementia Care Needs Exceed What Home Can Provide
In the early stages of dementia, many people can continue to live at home safely with the help of family, friends, or community services. However, as dementia progresses, a person’s care needs often increase significantly.
Some common indicators that it may be time to consider residential aged care include:
- Safety risks at home: Your loved one may struggle to navigate stairs, slopes, or uneven driveways. They might forget to turn off stoves, leave taps running, or wander away from home unsafely.
- Escalating behavioural changes: Dramatic mood swings, aggression, paranoia, or agitation may become frequent and challenging to manage without professional support.
- Declining memory and awareness: Increasing forgetfulness—such as not recognising family, forgetting meals, or becoming disoriented in familiar surroundings—can pose serious risks to their wellbeing.
- Physical decline and frailty: Reduced mobility, frequent falls, or difficulty managing daily personal care can signal that 24-hour supervision is needed.
- Carer burnout: Family carers may feel emotionally or physically exhausted, especially if providing care has become a full-time role without adequate breaks.
Acknowledging these signs does not mean you have failed as a carer. It means recognising that your loved one’s care needs have changed—and that they may now benefit from the safety, structure, and support that a specialised dementia care home can offer.
The Benefits of Moving to a Dementia Care Home
While the decision to move a loved one into residential care is deeply emotional, it can also be a turning point for improving their quality of life. Dementia-specific aged care homes provide:
- 24/7 professional care and supervision: Continuous support from trained staff ensures that medical and personal needs are met at all hours.
- A safer environment: Homes are purpose-built or adapted to minimise fall risks and confusion, with dementia-friendly layouts and monitoring systems.
- Social engagement: Living alongside peers encourages participation in group activities, reducing loneliness and stimulating cognitive function.
- Specialised dementia programs: Many facilities offer targeted memory care, sensory activities, and behaviour support tailored to residents with dementia.
- Relief for family carers: Knowing their loved one is safe allows families to reconnect emotionally and focus on positive, quality time together.
Through SSCA’s care finding service in Melbourne, families can compare facilities that are highly rated for dementia care and find an environment where their loved one will be treated with dignity and compassion.
Making the Decision: Who Should Be Involved?
Ideally, the person with dementia should be part of the decision-making process, especially if they are in the early stages and still have decision-making capacity. This allows their preferences and values to guide the choice of care.
However, as dementia progresses, many people lose the ability to make complex decisions. In these cases, families—often with the support of legal guardians or enduring powers of attorney—must make the decision in their best interests.
It’s important for families to:
- Discuss the situation openly and respectfully, acknowledging everyone’s emotions
- Seek input from healthcare professionals, such as geriatricians or dementia specialists
- Consider the long-term emotional, financial, and practical implications
- Use support services like SSCA’s care finding to explore options and receive objective advice
What to Look for in a Dementia-Specific Aged Care Home
Choosing the right home is crucial for your loved one’s safety and comfort. When visiting potential facilities, take a list of questions and carefully observe the environment. Key points to consider include:
- Staff approach and communication: Do staff listen attentively and ask about your loved one’s personal history, routines, and preferences?
- Available services and activities: Are there meaningful, dementia-friendly activities and therapy options to support engagement and stimulation?
- Access to healthcare practitioners: How often do doctors visit? Are allied health professionals like physiotherapists available?
- Visiting policies: Are families encouraged to visit often and be involved in care planning?
- Medication and clinical policies: How is medication managed, and how are health incidents handled?
- Resident rights and personalisation: Are residents’ cultural, spiritual, and personal preferences respected? Can they bring personal belongings to make the space feel like home?
- Safety and layout: Are the buildings and outdoor spaces safe, accessible, and secure for people with dementia?
- Transparency of fees: Are all costs clearly explained, including any potential extra charges?
Bringing this checklist can help you stay focused during what may be an emotional visit, and ensure you compare facilities fairly.
Navigating the Transition with Care and Support
Moving a loved one into residential care is one of the hardest decisions a family can make. It is natural to feel guilt, sadness, or doubt. But it is also an act of love—recognising that they need more care than you can provide at home, and that their safety and comfort come first.
Planning ahead can ease the transition:
- Gradually introduce your loved one to the idea and the chosen facility
- Bring familiar belongings to create a comforting, personalised space
- Continue visiting regularly and participating in care planning meetings
- Seek emotional support from counsellors or carer support groups
Most importantly, give yourself permission to prioritise your own wellbeing as well. Supporting someone with dementia is emotionally demanding, and preserving your health allows you to continue being part of their life as a loving advocate and companion.
How SSCA Can Help Families in Melbourne
At Support Services Connect Australia (SSCA), we understand how overwhelming this journey can be. That’s why we offer a free care finding service for families across Melbourne.
With over 25 years of experience in the Australian aged care sector, our team helps families:
- Understand how the aged care system works
- Compare dementia care homes and identify trusted providers
- Match facilities to your loved one’s location, preferences, and care needs
- Navigate assessments, funding applications, and transition planning
By working with SSCA, you can make this challenging decision with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind—knowing your loved one will receive the care, safety, and dignity they deserve.
Final Thoughts
Deciding when to move a loved one with dementia into residential care is never easy. It requires honesty, compassion, and careful planning. But it can also be the beginning of a safer, more supportive chapter—for both your loved one and your family.
With the right guidance, including SSCA’s free care finding service in Melbourne, you can ensure this transition leads to comfort, connection, and dignity for the person you love.