We are facing a growing number of people living with dementia who, due to the progression of the disease, require increasing levels of support and assistance in their daily lives. An individual may eventually become a user of institutional care, making the quality of life in residential care homes an increasingly important question. It is essential to understand how people with dementia experience life in a care home and to what extent their needs, wishes, and right to make decisions are respected. In my thesis, I first focused on the definition of dementia, the needs of people living with dementia, the individualisation of care and support services, and the role of social work in working with people with dementia. I also addressed the stigmatisation of people with dementia and the importance of person-centred care in institutional settings. My main interest was to explore how residents with dementia experience life in the Ljubljana – Bežigrad Home for older persons and how employees adapt support to their needs. The research conducted for the thesis is qualitative, as the data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Based on the collected data, I found that employees strive to provide an individualised approach and consider the needs of residents with dementia. Adapted communication, ensuring a sense of safety, participation in activities, and cooperation with family members plays an important role in their work. The research also showed that employees face staffing and organisational limitations that may affect the extent of individualised support they can provide. Nevertheless, residents generally experience their living environment as safe and supportive.
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