Last Updated: May 1, 2026
Dementia affects people in different ways, which is why personalised care is essential. In this article, we take a look at what we mean when we talk about personalised dementia care, why it is important, and what it looks like in a care home setting with a case study from Anchor Care Homes.
What is personalised dementia care?
In short, personalised dementia care means tailoring a person’s dementia care plan to their specific needs. This approach to care focuses on understanding each person’s history, personality, and preferences, to provide compassionate and effective support.
Good dementia care involves actively listening to the person with dementia and their loved ones to create a care plan that respects their dignity and supports their well-being throughout the progression of the disease. You can read more about care planning for people with dementia in this blog: Creating effective dementia care plans for loved ones.
What are the benefits?
Personalised dementia care can improve quality of life. Putting the person at the heart of care planning, ensures:
- A more meaningful experience tailored to the individual
- Improved emotional wellbeing
- That the individual can access activities that are right for them, making sure they are more engaged
- A good relationship between the resident and staff and cohesive care experience
Furthermore, a better care picture of the individual often means:
- More detailed care records
- Better monitoring as the disease progresses
- Easier referral and linking with other services
- The appropriate nutrition and hydration needs for the individual are better met
All of this contributes to an overall increase in emotional wellbeing, making it an effective way of preventing and managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, e.g. helping reduce agitation and anxiety.
Personalised dementia care in a care home: a case study
To see what personalised dementia care actually looks like in a residential setting, we spoke to Anchor about their approach to dementia care.
Anchor is an established care home provider with more than 60 years of experience and over 120 residential and dementia care homes across the country. As well as being designed to suit specific needs and living requirements, their dementia care homes provide person-centred care, to ensure residents can continue doing the things they love in a caring and supportive environment.
Creating a Supportive Environment
A well-designed environment can help people living with dementia feel safe and comfortable. Our care homes that support people living with dementia can make adjustments such as:
- Using clear signage to help with navigation
- Creating quiet spaces to reduce stress
- Offering familiar and homely surroundings
- Using soft lighting to prevent confusion
These small changes can have a big impact on reducing anxiety and promoting independence in safe and supportive environments.
We encourage residents to personalise their bedrooms with familiar items, photos and mementos that reflect their unique personality and history. We can support to establish a routine that includes regular visits and activities to reduce anxiety and confusion. Having comforting items like a favourite blanket or pillow close by provide familiarity and security – all of which can make a difference to how your loved one feels and interacts with you.
Person-Centred Activities
Meaningful activities tailored to each resident’s abilities and interests are essential. Activities such as art, gardening, or reminiscence therapy can help residents stay connected to their past and maintain a sense of purpose. Some care homes also use sensory rooms, music therapy, and pet therapy to bring comfort and joy.
Reminiscence can be a powerful way to connect with someone with dementia. Looking at a family photo album or creating a memory book can help spark special memories. Listening to music can assist key memories and emotions. Our teams help loved ones to find new ways to connect that may be different to previous activities but foster a sense of wellbeing.
Training and Compassionate Teams
The best dementia care comes from well-trained and compassionate colleagues. Our teams aim to understand not just the medical side of dementia but also how to communicate effectively and respond to behavioural changes with patience and empathy. Regular training ensures our teams are equipped to handle challenges while maintaining dignity and respect for residents. They are recruited for their care skills but also their personal traits, such as patience, understanding and kindness.
Building Meaningful Connections
Dementia care is not just about physical health – emotional well-being matters too. Tailored care focuses on helping residents build and maintain relationships with our teams, fellow residents, and loved ones. Our care homes aim for the same colleagues to support residents living with dementia wherever possible, to reduce confusion and foster wellbeing. Regular visits from loved ones, social events, and one-on-one interactions all help prevent loneliness and improve quality of life. We encourage visiting in our homes as we know this has significant emotional benefits.
Nutrition and Mealtime Support
Appropriate nutrition and hydration are hugely important for a good quality of life, where eating and drinking can become difficult for people with dementia. We aim to make mealtimes a sociable and pleasurable part of each day. A personal approach ensures that meals are designed to be easy to eat and in line with personal preferences. Adapted cutlery and calm dining areas, for example can make mealtimes less stressful and more enjoyable. We hold regular tasting events in our care homes, to support our residents to have meaningful input into our menus and to encourage people to try new cuisines.
Adapting Care as Needs Change
Dementia is a progressive condition, meaning that care needs will change over time. Personalised dementia care involves regularly reviewing care plans to ensure they continue to meet the individual’s needs. This might include adjusting medication, introducing new activities, or changing routines to provide the best possible ongoing support.
Tailored dementia care is about treating each person with dignity, respect, and understanding. Every person’s journey with dementia is different, and their care should reflect that. By focusing on each individual, creating a supportive environment, and offering compassionate care, we can improve the quality of life for those living with dementia.
Living with dementia
If you are looking for more information, you may like to visit our Dementia: Care Information page for more about the condition and for links to further resources.
If you want to start your search for a dementia care home or home care provider, you can use our search for care. Already have a shortlist of homes you are considering? Use our downloadable dementia care checklist when you go to visit to make sure you ask the right questions.
