What Does a Dementia Diagnosis Mean for You and Your Loved One?
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, so this article looks at the early signs of dementia worth watching for, and why an early diagnosis can make such a difference for a person and their family. There’s also a look at how Baxendale Care Home supports residents with dementia.
This article is a three – to four-minute read.
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and this year the message from Alzheimer’s Disease International is a simple one: the earlier you know, the more you can do. At Baxendale Care Home, we see the difference an early diagnosis makes every day. Here we look at the early signs of dementia worth watching for, why acting on them matters, and how our team supports residents and their families in living well with dementia.
Baxendale Care Home – a Dementia Care Home in Totteridge
At Baxendale, we have a dedicated unit for residents living with the dementia, alongside our long-term, short-term and respite care. Whatever stage a loved one is at, our team is trained to support them with patience and understanding, in a calm, familiar setting.
Recognising the Early Signs
According to the NHS, common early symptoms of dementia include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and finding it hard to manage familiar daily tasks such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping. Someone may also struggle to follow a conversation or find the right word, become confused about the time or place, or show changes in their usual mood.
These changes can be subtle at first, and easy to put down to “just getting older.” If they persist or gradually get worse, it’s worth mentioning to a GP.
Why an Early Diagnosis Can Help
This year’s World Alzheimer’s Month theme captures something the NHS also stress: an earlier diagnosis opens up more options, not fewer. It can mean earlier access to treatments and support that help manage symptoms, more time to plan ahead, and the chance for your loved one to be part of decisions about their own future, from day-to-day care preferences to legal and financial arrangements, while they’re still able to make them.
How Baxendale Supports Residents Living with Dementia
We offer dementia care for residents at all stages, from early onset through to later stages, so a diagnosis doesn’t mean an immediate decision has to be made. Our dedicated unit has six specialist bedrooms, a private lounge, and every resident has a personalised care plan built around their needs and interests.
We also have a sensory room, with interactive lights, projections and soothing music, which residents with dementia often find calming; it’s open to everyone at Baxendale, not just those in our dementia unit. We also offer respite stays for people with the condition who need extra support for a short period, giving carers a much-needed break.
Support for You and Your Loved One
A dementia diagnosis can affect the whole family, not just the person living with the condition. As things change over time, having familiar people around you can make it easier to ask questions, share concerns and feel confident that your loved one is being supported.
At Baxendale, every resident has a nominated keyworker, giving families a familiar member of staff they can speak to about changes, concerns, or simply how things are going. Building these relationships means families have someone who knows their loved one well and can help keep communication open.
Staying involved matters too. Regular visits can help you notice changes early, and familiar faces can bring real comfort and reassurance to a loved one with the condition.
Contacting Baxendale Care Home
If you would like to know more about our dementia care, complete our online enquiry form, call us on 020 8445 1127, or email us at info@baxendalecare.org.uk.
FAQs
Q: Does a dementia diagnosis mean my loved one can no longer live independently?
A: A diagnosis does not automatically mean someone has to stop living independently, particularly with the right support in place. At Baxendale, we focus on helping residents keep as much independence as they safely can, for as long as possible.
Q: Can someone move to Baxendale straight after a diagnosis, or only once things progress further?
A: Either is possible. We offer dementia care for residents at all stages, from early onset to later stages, so families can choose the right time for them rather than waiting for a crisis point.
Q: How does Baxendale help residents with dementia keep their independence day to day?
A: Every resident has a personalised care plan, and our activities programme is designed to be joined in with as much or as little as someone wants. Familiar routines, our sensory room, and one-to-one time with a nominated keyworker all help residents feel settled and in control of their day.