Expectations and experience of moving to a care home: Perceptions of older people with dementia

Abstract

Large numbers of people with dementia live in care homes. Decisions about permanent care are usually made by family members and professionals with little involvement from people with dementia. This qualitative paper explores the personal experience of this move among people with dementia. Eighteen people with dementia were interviewed before and after a move into permanent care. Before moving into permanent care, a realization of one’s own difficulties, clearly expressed hopes and fears, and a wish for a role in preparation for the move were identified. After the move, both positive and negative experiences of the process were recalled, with participants clearly identifying what had helped them most in the process. Moving to a care home need not be a depressing process for people with dementia, who may be meaningfully involved in the process. Further research will profit from direct interviewing of the core people in the move, the people with dementia themselves.