What it means
Dementia care units provide a secure environment and staff trained to care for people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Good units have safe walking routes, a calm layout, daily routines and activities designed for memory loss.
Not every frail care centre has a dedicated dementia unit, so ask specifically. A secure unit matters if your parent wanders or becomes distressed.
By town
The directory
Retirement Villages · Somerset West & Helderberg
Large, long-established retirement village at the foot of the Helderberg, with Homeleigh Nursing Services on site: frail care, dementia care and sub-acute beds.
Questions families ask
Common triggers are wandering, safety risks at home, increasing confusion at night, and a family carer who can no longer cope. A memory clinic, GP or the facility's nursing manager can help assess whether a secure unit is needed.