How Can Family Carers Best Support Loved Ones With Dementia in Dorchester?

Living with dementia can affect every aspect of life — memory, communication, daily tasks, and emotional wellbeing. Fortunately, Dorset offers a strong network of services to help people living with dementia and those who care for them.

One key resource is the Intensive Community Support for Dementia (ICSD), delivered by Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust. Dedicated teams in both the East and West of the county, including Dorchester, provide urgent care responses in the community. Their main goal is to help individuals remain at home for as long as possible, avoiding unnecessary hospital stays.

How the ICSD Teams Can Help

The ICSD service offers critical support by:

• Stabilising crises at home or in residential care settings.
• Helping family carers maintain their important caring roles.
• Managing both dementia and physical health needs together.
• Working closely with local health teams to ensure the best possible care.

Families can access this support through referrals from Community Mental Health Teams, Crisis Home Treatment Teams, and other local services.

Contact for Dorchester Area (ICSD West):

• Phone: 01305 361484 or 01305 361482
• Email: [email protected]

While professional services are invaluable, there are many ways you can support your loved one day-to-day, helping them feel safe, valued and respected.

Encouraging Independence

Maintaining independence for as long as possible is important for dignity and mental wellbeing. You can support this by:

• Involving your loved one in simple daily activities, such as laying the table or gardening.
• Using clear labels on cupboards, doors, and drawers to help with memory.
• Keeping to familiar routines wherever possible.

Supporting Healthy Eating and Drinking

Nutrition often becomes a challenge in dementia care. Some practical ways to help include:

• Offering small, frequent meals with familiar foods.
• Using bright coloured plates and cups to increase visibility.
• Providing finger foods if using utensils becomes difficult.
• Scheduling regular dental check-ups to prevent oral health issues.

If changes in taste or difficulty swallowing arise, gentle adaptations can make a big difference.

Managing Toilet and Continence Needs

Supporting someone with toilet needs can feel sensitive, but small adjustments can help:

• Clearly marking bathroom doors with pictures and signs.
• Leaving the bathroom door open when safe to do so.
• Encouraging regular toilet trips to establish a routine.
• Consulting a GP or continence adviser for additional support if needed.

Simple changes such as improving lighting at night can also help avoid confusion.

Assisting With Washing and Bathing

Bathing can sometimes feel uncomfortable or unsettling for someone with dementia. To make this easier:

• Allow your loved one to stay as involved as they wish.
• Use hand-held showers or bath seats to increase comfort.
• Keep the environment calm, warm, and quiet.
• Offer familiar soaps and shampoos to maintain a sense of normality.

Above all, protecting dignity during personal care tasks is essential for building trust and confidence.

Supporting Better Sleep

Many people experience changes in sleep patterns with dementia. Helpful strategies include:

• Encouraging time outside in natural daylight each day.
• Reducing caffeine, sugar, and alcohol intake later in the day.
• Using clearly marked clocks to help distinguish between day and night.
• Keeping the bedroom comfortable and familiar.
• Limiting daytime naps where possible.

If sleep difficulties persist, your GP or dementia support services can offer tailored advice.

Staying at home often provides comfort and security for someone living with dementia. Home Instead Dorchester specialises in dementia care that is individually tailored to each person’s needs and wishes.

Our approach includes:

• Personalised care plans created with input from the individual and their family.
• Consistent care from trained, experienced caregivers.
• Flexible support, from a few hours a day to full-time live-in care.
• Ongoing training for our care team to stay informed about the latest dementia care practices.

We understand that no two dementia journeys are the same. Our aim is to ensure that each client remains as independent and comfortable as possible, for as long as possible.

To find out more about our dementia care services in Dorchester and the surrounding areas, please contact us:

• Website:Home Instead Dorchester
• Phone: 01305 239289
  

At Home Instead Dorchester, we’re proud to support our community during Dementia Action Week (19–25 May 2025) with a series of local events, activities, and resources for families navigating dementia.

[Insert your plans here – for example: carer coffee mornings, dementia-friendly information sessions, awareness pop-ups, free drop-in advice clinics, or educational workshops.]

Whether you’re looking for information, connection, or a moment to pause and reflect, we invite you to take part. Every action helps create a more informed and compassionate community.

To learn more about what we’re offering during Dementia Action Week, please get in touch with our local team.