Wanstead House Community Centre: Classes, clubs and activities for older people in Wanstead
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Families often worry about whether a loved one can continue living independently after a dementia diagnosis and ask, can someone with dementia live alone safely?
There isn’t a simple yes or no answer. Every person’s experience of dementia is different, and the right level of support depends on their individual needs and circumstances.
Dementia affects everybody differently. A diagnosis does not automatically mean somebody has to leave their home or immediately have round-the-clock care.
Many people continue living at home after a dementia diagnosis with appropriate support.
A more useful question may be:
How is this person managing at home today, and what would help them continue living as safely and independently as possible?
Look at the person, not simply the diagnosis
Two people with dementia may have completely different abilities and needs.
One person might continue shopping, cooking and meeting friends. Another may manage much of the day independently but need support around meals or medication. Someone else may require regular help with personal care or household routines.
Decisions about care should therefore start with the individual.
Look at what is happening day to day
When asking, “Can someone with dementia live alone safely?”, look at their daily routines, ability to manage everyday tasks and whether they can get help when needed.
1. Are they eating and drinking?
Don’t simply check whether there is food in the fridge.
- Is it actually being eaten?
- Are meals being prepared?
- Are drinks being finished?
- Have you noticed a change in appetite?
2. Is medication being managed appropriately?
If medication has been prescribed, is it being taken as directed?
Concerns about missed or repeated medication should be discussed with the appropriate healthcare professionals.
3. Are they managing personal care?
Have there been noticeable changes in washing, dressing or general hygiene? Approach this sensitively. Personal care is closely connected to dignity and privacy.
4. Is the home reasonably safe?
- Are appliances being left on?
- Are doors being left unlocked?
- Have there been falls or near misses?
- Are stairs or other areas of the home becoming more difficult?
5. Could they get help if something happened?
- Would they know who to call?
- Can they use their telephone?
- Would an appropriate personal alarm or telecare system help?
- Are they socially connected?
Someone can prepare breakfast and still be lonely.
Think about how often they see another person, get outside, have meaningful conversations or enjoy activities that matter to them.
And there is another question that shouldn’t get lost among conversations about risk:
Are they happy?
Safety matters enormously, but so do choice, identity, dignity and quality of life.
Familiar surroundings can be valuable
Home is more than a building.
It contains routines, memories and familiar landmarks.
Their favourite chair.
The view from the kitchen window.
The cups in the usual cupboard.
The neighbour they’ve known for 20 years.
The route into the garden.
For someone living with dementia, that familiarity can be important.
Remaining at home won’t be the right option for everybody indefinitely, but the value of familiar surroundings deserves to be part of the conversation.
Could small changes make home easier?
Sometimes relatively straightforward changes can help someone manage more independently.
Depending on the person, this might mean improving lighting, reducing trip hazards, using clear signs or labels, or installing appropriate rails and other adaptations.
Assistive technology may also help some people. Personal alarms, reminder devices, easy-to-use phones and telecare systems can all have a role.
The aim shouldn’t be to fill somebody’s house with equipment.
Start with the difficulties they are actually experiencing and look for practical solutions.
Homecare shouldn’t mean taking over
One reason families sometimes delay exploring homecare is the fear that once care starts, independence stops.
It shouldn’t.
If Mum can safely make her own tea, she doesn’t necessarily need someone to make it for her.
If Dad can choose and put on most of his clothes but needs support with one part of dressing, help can focus on that.
The starting point should be what someone can still do, as well as where they need support.
Visiting care can be introduced gradually
Someone who is largely independent may initially need only a small amount of help.
A care professional might support them with a meal, personal care, agreed medication support, companionship or getting out of the house.
If circumstances change, the care can be reviewed.
That flexibility can be particularly useful with dementia because no two people’s experiences are exactly alike. However, visiting care may not be enough if someone needs support or supervision between visits.
The right level of care depends on the individual’s needs, circumstances and safety.
Familiar faces can help build trust
Continuity also gives relationships time to develop.
A familiar care professional may learn that Mum prefers breakfast before getting dressed, Dad loves talking about football or a particular song always makes someone smile.
They may also learn what makes somebody anxious and how they prefer to be supported.
Those details are part of personalised dementia care.
Independence can include accepting support
Independence doesn’t necessarily mean doing everything alone.
Sometimes helping with the tasks that have become difficult allows someone to continue doing the things that matter most.
Support preparing lunch might leave Mum with more energy to enjoy her garden.
Help getting ready could allow Dad to continue attending a group he loves.
Regular visits may help someone remain connected to the home and community they know.
At GoodOaks Homecare Glasgow South, our dementia support is centred around the individual. Through visiting care and live-in care, where appropriate, we support people to maintain their routines, choices and connections while receiving help where they need it.
Living independently and accepting support aren’t opposites.
For many people, the right support can help independence continue for longer, provided their needs can be safely met at home.
Worried about a loved one living alone with dementia?
If you’re concerned about a parent or someone close to you, you don’t have to work through the options alone. GoodOaks Homecare Glasgow South can help you explore personalised dementia care, from visiting care to live-in care where appropriate, based on your loved one’s individual needs.
Contact our friendly team for a no-obligation conversation about how the right support could help your loved one maintain their independence, dignity and quality of life at home, wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.
