Making the Best Decision for Your Loved One: Who Decides on Care Home Placement?

As an expert in the field of dementia care, I have encountered many families struggling with the difficult decision of whether or not to move their loved one into a care home. It's a decision that requires careful consideration and often involves legal and financial matters. But ultimately, who has the authority to make this decision?According to the law, any lawyer or representative must make decisions for the benefit of the individual. This means that they must act in the best interest of the person with dementia, taking into account their wishes and preferences.

An attorney or assistant for financial and property matters (not health and welfare) is usually responsible for making decisions related to care home placement. However, if the person is unable to make this decision, someone else will have to step in. In most cases, it would be the person's attorney under a durable health and welfare power of attorney, or their personal welfare adjunct, if they have one. These individuals have been granted legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the person with dementia. However, it's important to note that professionals or members of the person's family can challenge this decision. If you find yourself in this situation, it's important to educate yourself on how to choose and pay for full-time care.

There are many resources available to help guide you through this process.

When Can the Person with Dementia Decide?

In some cases, the person with dementia may still be able to make decisions for themselves regarding care home placement. For example, if they have expressed a desire for access to outdoor space, you can look for nursing homes with gardens. There are also useful tools available to help individuals plan for their future care. In these situations, the decision should ideally be made by health and social care professionals, such as social workers or health professionals, and those close to the person with dementia. It's important to involve the person in the decision-making process as much as possible, taking into account their wishes and preferences.

The Role of Health and Social Care Professionals

It can be difficult to know when the time is right for a person with dementia to move to a nursing home and who should make this decision if the person is unable to do so.

This decision can also bring up a range of emotions for family members, including relief, loss, and guilt. In cases where there is a disagreement about care home placement, it is usually the health and social care professionals who make the final decision. However, the person's family or friends may also challenge this decision. It's important to have open and honest communication with all parties involved in order to come to a resolution.

Choosing the Right Nursing Home

Once the decision has been made to move the person with dementia into a care home, the next step is finding the right one. This can be a daunting task, but there are resources available to help guide you through this process. The financial evaluation of care should only consider the assets of the person with dementia, even if they have a partner.

If the local authority or trust is paying for care, they may provide a list of suitable nursing homes to choose from. It's important to keep in mind that as the person's condition progresses, they may require more care and support, which may mean moving to a residential or full-time facility. Some individuals will be self-funded, meaning they can organize their place and pay nursing home fees independently. For more practical tips on how to decide which is the right nursing home, see our article on How to Find a Nursing Home. It's also important to understand that for some people, there may be limited options available, and the nearby nursing home may be the only choice. Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing a care home is ensuring that it meets the needs of the person with dementia, fits within the local authority's budget, and has a place available.

By involving health and social care professionals, as well as family members and the person with dementia themselves, you can make an informed decision that is in the best interest of your loved one.