stage: 5

What a care plan in a dementia home should contain — and what to do if yours doesn't

A care plan is a written document that sets out how a resident's individual needs will be met by the care home. For someone with dementia it should cover personal care routines, dietary preferences and any eating or swallowing difficulties, communication approaches that work for that person, known triggers for distress and how to manage them, medication, mobility and physical health needs, and meaningful activities. The care plan should be built from a thorough assessment of the person as an individual, not just their medical condition. You have the right to be involved in developing and reviewing the care plan, and the plan should be updated as needs change. A good care plan reads like a guide to a specific person, not a checklist of tasks. Asking to see the care plan and contribute to it is one of the most useful things a family can do after a parent moves into a care home.