We have a family member we had to put into dementia care. This person went to a local hospital and was put in a ward where he was strapped to a chair for hours! I have pictures and it was horrifying. They never had enough staff and the food was disgusting!
Fortunately he can afford to private pay. We found home and it is for dementia care only. The people who work there have additional education on how to deal with with dementia. They are very special caring people.
1. Define dignity in dementia care
Not a buzzword — a practice. You could describe dignity as:
Being spoken to, not around
Being included in decisions
Being treated as an adult with a history, not a task list
Having routines that honour their personality
2. What to look for in a care home
Families often don’t know what questions to ask. You can give them a checklist:
Do staff use the person’s preferred name?
Are residents rushed, or is the pace calm?
Are meals served in a way that feels like home?
Are personal items visible — photos, blankets, familiar objects?
Do staff explain what they’re doing before they do it?
You could add one powerful detail: “Watch how staff speak to residents when they think no one is listening.”
3. Red flags
This is where your clarity helps people:
Overuse of restraints
Residents left idle for long periods
Staff turnover so high that no one knows the residents’ stories
A clinical, hospital-like atmosphere instead of warmth
4. The emotional truth
Families often feel guilt, fear, or confusion. You can reassure them:
Choosing care is an act of love
Dignity is not optional — it’s the foundation of good dementia support
The right home will feel like a continuation of the person’s life, not an ending
