When you’re caring for someone with dementia, there comes a point when you might wonder if you need more help. Not just occasional support, but round-the-clock care. Making this decision isn’t easy, it’s filled with emotion, questions, and sometimes even guilt.
At Choice Care 4U, we’ve worked with hundreds of families facing this exact turning point, and the same question always comes up: “How do I know when it’s time?”
This guide will help you recognise the signs that your loved one might need 24/7 dementia care at home. We’ll walk through physical and behavioural changes to watch for, how to evaluate your own wellbeing as a caregiver, and practical next steps if continuous care seems necessary.
Dementia isn’t a single moment in time, it’s a journey that unfolds over years. This progressive condition affects memory, thinking, behaviour, and eventually, the ability to perform everyday activities.
Most families start with occasional help. Maybe you’re stopping by your mom’s house to check her medication or helping your husband remember doctor’s appointments. But dementia progresses in ways that eventually demand more intensive support.
The truth is, dementia care needs typically follow this pattern:
Many families hold onto the belief that they should manage everything themselves. We’ve heard so many caregivers say, “Mom took care of me; now it’s my turn.” This devotion is beautiful, but sometimes caring well means getting help.
Dementia requires specialised support especially as needs intensify.
Let’s talk about physical signs that your loved one might need continuous dementia care at home services. These physical indicators often appear gradually but shouldn’t be overlooked.
When someone with dementia starts falling more frequently, it’s a serious red flag. Unlike occasional stumbles that happen to everyone, dementia-related falls often result from spatial disorientation, visual perception problems, poor balance from cognitive changes, and attempting complex tasks without recognising limitations.
If your loved one has fallen multiple times in a month, or you’ve found them on the floor, this suggests they need constant supervision to prevent potentially life-threatening injuries.
The kitchen can reveal a lot about cognitive decline. Check for:
One caregiver noticed her father had lost 15 pounds in two months. When she investigated, she discovered he simply forgot to eat most days – a clear sign that companionship care throughout the day had become necessary just to maintain basic nutrition.
Changes in personal care often signal a need for increased support. If your loved one has been wearing the same clothes for days. You noticed body odor or poor oral hygiene. They resist bathing and they have the inability to manage toileting independently.
These changes aren’t laziness, they’re symptoms of a brain that can no longer sequence the steps needed for self-care or remember when tasks were last completed.
Sleep problems can be dangerous and exhausting for everyone involved:
When sleep disturbances become frequent, 24/7 supervision becomes necessary to prevent accidents and ensure both the person with dementia and their caregivers get enough rest.
Medication errors are among the most dangerous signs that more care is needed:
Even with pill organisers and reminders, people with advancing dementia eventually lose the ability to manage medications safely – a task that requires round-the-clock oversight.
Beyond physical needs, certain behaviours suggest that more comprehensive dementia home care services are necessary. These changes often cause the most stress for families.
Nearly 60% of people with dementia will wander at some point. This isn’t casual strolling, it’s purposeful walking that can place them in dangerous situations:
Sundowning increased confusion, anxiety, and agitation in the late afternoon and evening. It affects many people with dementia. Signs that sundowning requires continuous supervision include:
These behaviours are not just difficult, they can be dangerous for both the person with dementia and their caregiver when they’re managing alone.
Cognitive decline eventually affects judgment about basic safety. This includes leaving stove tops or ovens on, putting inappropriate items in microwaves, using appliances incorrectly, or letting strangers into the home.
For instance, if your loved one had given his bank details to phone scammers three times in a month despite notes and reminders not to share personal information. This level of judgment impairment signals a need for continuous supervision.
When communication breaks down severely, 24/7 care becomes crucial. They can’t call for help in emergencies. They cannot express pain or discomfort clearly. They became frustrated to the point of tears or anger when trying to communicate. They can’t follow simple instructions.
These communication barriers mean your loved one can no longer advocate for their most basic needs without someone present to interpret and assist.
While not all people with dementia become aggressive, significant personality changes often signal advancing disease:
These behaviours aren’t your loved one’s fault; they’re symptoms of brain changes. But they do indicate a need for caregivers with specialiSed training in dementia care at home.
If you’re preparing to hire external help, our guide Home Care Checklist: What to Ask Before Hiring a Care Provider in Chichester provides a practical step-by-step checklist to ensure you ask the right questions during the vetting process.
When continuous dementia care at home becomes necessary, you have several options for providing it without moving your loved one to a care facility.
Dementia care at home can be structured in several ways depending on your loved one’s needs and your family’s capacity.
Live-in Care: A single caregiver resides in your home, typically providing care throughout the day and having rest time at night and scheduled breaks.
24-Hour Shift Care: Caregivers work in shifts often 8 or 12 hours, ensuring someone is always alert and available, including overnight.
Family-Professional Hybrid: Family members provide care during parts of the day, with professional carers supporting during other hours to share the responsibility.
Each model has its own considerations around cost, continuity, and level of support. The most suitable option will depend on your loved one’s condition, the progression of dementia, and the resources available to your household.
If your loved one is currently living with dementia, our article What Is Palliative Care for Dementia Patients? A Simple Guide for Families offers compassionate guidance on managing comfort and quality of life as their condition progresses.
When you arrange dementia care at home with us, our approach includes:
At Choice Care 4U, these principles guide how we deliver compassionate, consistent, and responsive care for individuals living with dementia.
Learn more about our dementia care services in Chichester and surrounding areas.
Interested in the next stage of care planning? Read our guide: What Is Palliative Care for Dementia Patients? A Simple Guide for Families — a helpful resource for understanding support options as needs evolve.
Whatever care path you choose, remember this: deciding to bring in 24/7 home care doesn’t mean you’ve failed or given up. It means you’re making sure your loved one has the support they need to remain as safe, comfortable, and independent as possible.
Early signs that continuous care might be needed include:
If you’re noticing several of these signs, start by consulting healthcare providers for a professional assessment. Then explore the care at home services options that best match your loved one’s needs and preferences.
Remember that whether you choose live-in care, shift-based coverage, or a hybrid approach, quality dementia care at home makes one powerful statement: your loved one deserves to live with dignity, safety, and comfort, surrounded by what’s familiar, even as dementia progresses.
Reach out for the support you need, and take each day as it comes. With the right care team in place, both you and your loved one can find new ways to connect and new moments of joy, even amid the challenges of dementia.
Need more guidance on dementia care at home? Contact our team for a free home care assessment.
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