If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, you’re likely wrestling with a lot of questions: “Is it best for them to stay at home or move to a care facility?” “Will they get the personalised attention they need if we hire dementia support services?” “Can we afford the cost of in-home care for dementia?” It’s completely natural to have these concerns, especially when you’re trying to make the best choice for someone you care deeply about.
The truth is that many families in Sydney are opting for in-home dementia care as the preferred option. In fact, over 70% of Australians prefer to age in the comfort of their own homes. But why is this approach so popular when there are other options available, like residential care homes? And more importantly, is in-home dementia care right for your loved one?
In this blog, you’ll learn the answers to the most common questions families ask when considering dementia care services, helping you make an informed decision that prioritises the comfort, safety, and well-being of your loved one.
What Is In-Home Dementia Care?
In-home dementia care refers to professional support services provided in your loved one’s home to help manage the physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges of dementia. It’s designed to meet their unique needs while allowing them to stay in a familiar and comfortable environment. Whether it’s help with daily tasks, engaging activities, or emotional support, in-home dementia care offers a flexible, personalised approach to improve your loved one’s quality of life.
Unlike residential facilities, in-home care is tailored to the individual’s needs and offers one-on-one support in a familiar environment.
Here’s what in-home dementia care typically includes:
1. Daily Assistance: Caregivers can help with essential tasks like bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting, ensuring your loved one stays safe and comfortable.
2. Medication Management: Forgetting medications is common with dementia. A carer ensures everything is taken on time and as prescribed.
3. Engaging Activities: Dementia-friendly activities, such as light exercise, crafts, or music therapy, are designed to stimulate the mind. These activities are personalised to align with your loved one’s interests, making them more meaningful than standardised dementia activities in care homes.
4. Safety Monitoring: Wandering and falls are real concerns. In-home carers provide a watchful presence, helping to prevent accidents while maintaining your loved one’s freedom.
5. Companionship: Loneliness can worsen dementia symptoms. A professional carer offers much-needed social interaction, lifting your loved one’s spirits.
Why Does Staying at Home Make Such a Big Difference for Dementia Care?
Why is staying at home so important for someone with dementia? If you’ve ever noticed how your loved one’s eyes light up at the smell of a favourite meal cooking or how they seem calmer in their usual spot on the couch, you already understand the power of home. Familiar surroundings provide a sense of safety and comfort, especially for someone living with dementia.
When someone is diagnosed with dementia, their world can feel confusing and overwhelming. New environments, different faces, and changing routines can heighten their anxiety.
By opting for in-home dementia care, you’re allowing your loved one to stay in a space they know well. They’ll wake up in their own bed, enjoy their usual morning routines, and be surrounded by their own belongings. These familiar details help reduce stress and create a sense of stability, which is important for managing dementia symptoms.
Even simple things like sitting in their favourite chair or looking at family photos can help with memory recall. In contrast, moving to a residential facility can increase confusion, as the surroundings and people are unfamiliar.
How Does In-Home Dementia Care Compare to Care Homes?
Wondering what the differences are between in-home dementia care and residential care homes? Here’s a simple breakdown to help you decide:
| Aspect | In-Home Dementia Care | Care Homes |
| Personalisation | Activities are fully customised to align with your loved one’s interests and abilities. | Activities are designed for a group, making it harder to tailor them to individuals. |
| Attention | Provides one-on-one support, ensuring focused and personalised engagement. | Staff must divide their attention among multiple residents, limiting individual focus. |
| Environment | Activities take place in familiar surroundings, reducing stress and confusion. | Activities occur in a new, unfamiliar environment, which can be disorienting. |
| Flexibility | Carers can adjust activities in real-time to suit your loved one’s mood or energy level. | Activities follow a set schedule, which may not align with your loved one’s preferences. |
| Range of Activities | Includes hobbies like gardening, cooking, or crafting based on personal preferences. | Typically focuses on general group activities, like bingo or group exercise. |
| Cognitive Stimulation | Tailored activities can support memory recall and cognitive health. | Activities may not always align with the person’s current cognitive abilities. |
| Emotional Connection | Carers build strong, personal relationships, enhancing emotional engagement. | Group settings can limit the depth of individual emotional connection. |
Is In-Home Dementia Care Affordable?
Cost is often one of the biggest concerns for families. You might be asking, “What is the cost of in-home care for dementia, and can we afford it?” The good news is that in-home care can be a flexible and cost-effective option.
In Sydney, in-home dementia care can actually be a cost-effective option compared to residential facilities. Residential facilities often come with significant fees, especially for specialised dementia support. In-home care, on the other hand, allows you to tailor the level of service to your budget. Whether you need part-time care, such as a few hours a day, or full-time assistance, you only pay for what your loved one needs.
| Cost Category | Residential Dementia Care | In-Home Dementia Care |
| Accommodation Deposit (RAD) | Average of $470,000 (varies by location and facility). | Not applicable. Your loved one will be receiving care in their own home. No large upfront deposit required. |
| Basic Daily Fee | Up to $63.57 per day. | Not applicable. |
| Means-Tested Care Fee | Up to $403.24 per day, depending on income and assets. | Not applicable. |
| Accommodation Payment | Example: $34.95/day for a package, $19.95/day for a single room. | Not applicable. |
| Annual Cost | Can exceed $146,000 per year for high-level care. | $10,589 to $61,440 per year, depending on care level. |
| Geographical Impact on Cost | Costs can vary significantly by location and facility. | Location may impact caregiver rates but generally more flexible. |
Choosing the right care option depends on your family’s needs, budget, and preferences, but this comparison highlights why in-home dementia care is a popular choice in Sydney.
Additionally, when you invest in in-home care, you’re paying for personalised services that directly meet your loved one’s needs, rather than contributing to the costs of a large facility with services you may not require. It’s an opportunity to make sure that every dollar spent is going towards meaningful and direct care.
How Do I Know If In-Home Dementia Care Is the Right Choice?
The best way to determine if in-home dementia care is right for your loved one is to consider their preferences and needs. Ask yourself:
- Would they feel more comfortable and secure in their own home?
- Would a personalised, flexible care plan better suit their evolving needs?
- Is it important for you and your family to remain closely involved in their daily life?
If the answer is yes, then in-home care may be the right choice. At Vital Home Health Services, we understand how important it is to make the best decision for your family. We provide expert dementia support that focuses on compassion, quality, and most importantly, your loved one’s well-being. Our team is dedicated to offering tailored care plans that prioritise comfort and safety, helping your loved one maintain their independence and dignity at home.
Need Dementia Care in Sydney?
Making a decision about getting dementia support can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to balance the best interests of your loved one with practical considerations like cost and involvement. However, it’s clear why so many Sydney families are choosing in-home dementia care. From the comfort of familiar surroundings to flexible and personalised support, the benefits are significant.
If you’re exploring dementia care services for your loved one, Vital Home Health Services is here to guide you. We offer compassionate and professional support that is tailored to your family’s needs.
Reach out today to discuss how we can support your loved one with high-quality, in-home dementia care. Let’s work together to create a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment for them—where they feel truly at home.
