Choosing a care home for an elder with dementia involves considerations that go beyond price and location. The home's physical environment, staffing, daily routines and security all matter more for a resident whose cognition is impaired. This guide explains what to look for and, importantly, what not to assume from the data alone.
Staffing matters most
For a resident with dementia, the staff-to-resident ratio and the staff's experience with cognitive impairment are more important than the building's facilities. Ask about the ratio of care workers and health workers to residents, whether staff have received dementia-specific training, and how the home handles behavioural expressions (such as agitation or wandering). Our directory shows staffing numbers by role on each home's detail page, which lets you compare staffing intensity — though a number alone does not capture training or experience.
A secure environment
Dementia can involve wandering, which raises safety concerns. Look for a home with secured exits, a layout that is easy to navigate, and — if outdoor space exists — a secured garden or courtyard. Some homes have specific design features (colour-coded corridors, clear signage, minimal clutter) that support orientation. Ask the home directly about its security measures and whether it has experience with residents who wander.
Structured daily routines
A predictable daily routine helps residents with dementia maintain orientation and reduces anxiety. Ask the home about its daily schedule: meals, activities, rest periods, and whether there are structured programmes (reality orientation, reminiscence, music, exercise). A home that lists social and recreational activities in its SWD profile is a starting point, but the quality and dementia-appropriateness of those activities can only be assessed by visiting and asking.
Questions to ask when you visit
- What is your staff-to-resident ratio on each shift, and how many staff have dementia training?
- How do you handle a resident who becomes agitated or tries to leave?
- What structured activities do you run, and are they adapted for residents with cognitive impairment?
- How do you communicate with families about changes in condition or behaviour?
- What is your policy if a resident's care needs increase beyond what you can support?
Frequently asked questions
Are there dementia-specialised care homes in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong does not have a separate licensing category for 'dementia-specialised' homes. Dementia care is provided within the existing home types (typically Care and Attention or Nursing Homes), and quality varies. Some homes have invested in staff training, secured environments and dementia-appropriate programmes, but the absence of a formal specialisation category means families must assess this directly by visiting and asking specific questions. Do not rely on a home's marketing claims alone — look at staffing, environment and routines.