Moving Someone with Dementia to a Care Home

Deciding to move someone living with dementia into a care home is one of the most deeply personal decisions a family can face. It is rarely straightforward, and it is never taken lightly. Understanding when the time is right, how to find the right home, and how to support your loved one through the transition can bring clarity and reassurance during what is often an emotional and uncertain period.

We cover the signs that a care home may be the right next step, how to prepare for the move, what to expect on the day itself, and how to help your loved one settle into their new surroundings with confidence and dignity.

When Should Someone with Dementia Move into a Care Home?

Every person's experience with dementia is different, and there is no universal moment when a care home becomes the right choice. Often, the decision emerges gradually as the level of care someone needs begins to exceed what can be provided at home.

There are, however, some recognisable signs that it may be time to consider residential care: 

• They need round-the-clock supervision. If you find yourself constantly worried about their safety when you are not present, or if leaving them alone feels untenable, this is a strong indication that continuous professional support may be needed.
• Falls or wandering have become frequent. Physical safety must always be the priority. Regular falls, particularly in a home with stairs, or episodes of leaving the house in a confused and disoriented state, can place someone at serious risk.
• Personal care has become overwhelming. Helping with bathing, dressing, and toileting requires both physical strength and emotional resilience. When these tasks become too much for one person to manage, professional care helps maintain dignity for everyone involved.
• The carer can no longer cope. Carer burnout is not a failure. It is a clear signal that your loved one's needs have grown beyond what one person can reasonably provide. Your wellbeing matters too.
• Their health needs have changed. Advanced dementia often requires medical expertise, from managing complex medications to monitoring health conditions and responding to emergencies. A stay in hospital may also reveal care needs that cannot be met at home.
• Behaviour has become unmanageable. Severe confusion, aggression, or profound memory loss can be deeply distressing for both the person living with dementia and those around them. Specialist care teams are trained to manage these symptoms with patience and understanding.

If you are unsure, requesting a care needs assessment from your local authority is an excellent starting point. This is provided free of charge and will help determine what level of support is appropriate, whether that is additional help at home or a move into residential care.

Can Someone with Dementia Continue Living at Home?

For some families, remaining at home with additional support is a meaningful and workable option, particularly in the earlier stages of dementia. Staying in familiar surroundings can provide comfort and a sense of security.

However, it is important to be honest about whether home remains a safe and sustainable environment. Common difficulties include incontinence, forgetting to take medicines, difficulties with eating and drinking, and safety concerns such as leaving appliances on or being at risk of falls.

Additional support at home (whether from family, professional carers, or community services) can help for a time. Live-in care, respite sitting services, and day care options all offer ways to extend someone's time at home. Yet there may come a point where the benefit of staying at home no longer outweighs the risks. When that moment arrives, a care home can offer the safety, companionship, and specialist attention that your loved one deserves.

Who Makes the Decision?

Wherever possible, the person living with dementia should be involved in conversations about their care. Their preferences and feelings matter enormously, even when their capacity to make formal decisions may be diminished.

If the person lacks the mental capacity to decide, someone with lasting power of attorney may make the decision on their behalf, provided it is made in their best interests. Speaking with their social worker or contacting organisations such as Dementia UK can provide further guidance on navigating these sensitive legal and emotional considerations.

How to Choose the Right Care Home

Finding the right care home requires careful thought and, ideally, several visits. When someone is living with dementia, it is especially important to look for homes that offer specialist dementia care from trained, experienced teams.

What to Look For

When visiting care homes, consider whether the environment feels warm and welcoming, whether staff seem engaged and caring, and whether the home can adapt its support as your loved one's needs change. Ask about their approach to personalised care plans, how they support residents at different stages of dementia, and what activities and enrichment programmes are available.

Practical Considerations

Location matters - proximity to family and friends makes visits easier and helps your loved one feel connected. Look at the facilities carefully: private rooms where personal belongings can be displayed, accessible gardens, comfortable communal spaces, and dining arrangements that cater to individual preferences and dietary needs.

In England, the Care Quality Commission provides inspection reports for all registered care homes, which can offer helpful insight into standards of care.

How to Prepare for the Move

Once the decision has been made, honesty and gentleness go hand in hand. Withholding information can lead to unwelcome surprises, so share what is happening in a way that feels calm, clear, and compassionate.

Many care homes will arrange a pre-admission visit, either coming to your loved one's home or inviting them to spend time at the care home before moving day. If the home offers day care or respite stays, these can be invaluable in building familiarity with the environment, the staff, and fellow residents. This gradual introduction helps to ease anxiety and establish trust.

What to Expect on Moving Day

Moving day will be emotional - for you and for your loved one. Knowing this in advance allows you to prepare thoughtfully.

Try to ensure that familiar faces from the care team are there to greet your loved one on arrival. Make their room feel personal and welcoming with cherished photographs, familiar furniture, and favourite items. Consistency and familiarity are deeply reassuring for someone living with dementia.

When the time comes for you to leave, it can help to do so while your loved one is engaged in an activity or a conversation. This can make the parting gentler for everyone.

How to Support Your Loved One After the Move

The settling-in period typically takes between four and eight weeks, though this varies from person to person. It is entirely normal for new residents to feel unsettled at first, and these feelings usually ease with time.

It may feel counterintuitive, but visiting too soon after the move can sometimes disrupt the settling process. Your loved one may believe you have come to take them home, which can make your departure more distressing. Speaking with the care team about when and how to visit is always wise - they will know your loved one's rhythms and can advise on the right moment.

Many care homes now offer digital platforms or family portals that allow you to stay informed about your loved one's care, activities, and wellbeing, providing reassurance even when you are not physically present.

Understanding the Costs of Care

Funding a care home place depends on individual circumstances. A financial assessment carried out by your local authority will determine whether they will contribute towards the cost. In most cases, the person living with dementia will be expected to pay something towards their care.

For those with complex health needs, NHS continuing healthcare may cover the full cost. Others may be eligible for NHS-funded nursing care, which provides a contribution towards nursing costs in a care home setting. Understanding these options early can help families plan with greater confidence.

How KYN Supports Families Through This Transition

At KYN, we understand that moving a loved one into a care home is a profound moment for the whole family. Our approach is rooted in the belief that exceptional care begins with truly knowing each person - their history, their personality, their preferences, and their needs.

Before any resident joins us, we take the time to build a complete picture of who they are. From this understanding, we create a bespoke care plan and assign a dedicated support team who care for each resident as family. This philosophy applies fully to those living with dementia, with specially trained teams providing tailored support in safe, thoughtfully designed environments.

Our homes offer outstanding staffing ratios, award-winning dining crafted by chef Tristan Welch with clinical nutritional oversight, and a life enrichment programme designed to stimulate, engage, and bring joy. Pioneering innovations - from advanced pain detection technology to our dedicated family portal - are quietly woven into the comforts of home, giving families peace of mind at every stage.

If you are considering a care home for someone you love, we warmly invite you to visit and experience KYN for yourself. To arrange a private tour or request a brochure, please enquire today.

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