How best to support someone with dementia

Supporting a loved one with dementia is never straightforward. Whether your relative has been newly diagnosed or you’re already a caregiver, there are certain steps you can take. 

We understand that supporting someone with dementia can bring about many emotions, for all involved, from frustration to sadness, and the possibility of complete burnout. In this guide, we discuss some of the best ways to offer dementia support and include useful tips for handling challenging scenarios.

Focus on person-centered care

When caring for a person with dementia, it’s crucial not to generalise; instead, you should focus on providing person-centered care and support. Every individual is unique, and this is still true for those with dementia. By turning attention to wellbeing and independent needs, a person with dementia will feel more supported as a result. 

We encourage you to try to see things from the person’s perspective. What may be an easy task for you can feel like an impossible one for them. The person may also have developed their own coping strategies, which can be difficult to change after some time. 

Encourage their Independence

We always focus on what a person with dementia can do, rather than what they can’t do. This is such an important outlook for both carers and the person living with dementia. Some individuals with dementia still maintain a level of autonomy in their daily routines and hobbies, which is important to keep in mind when supporting someone with dementia.

Choose to acknowledge this and value their abilities, and you’ll be helping them to feel dignified. No matter how small the task is, a small confidence boost can go a long way in improving wellbeing. We recommend that you nurture the person’s strengths at every opportunity and keep a positive outlook rather than focus on limitations. 

Communicate openly and patiently

Supporting someone with dementia involves a lot of active listening and close attention to both verbal and non-verbal cues. As dementia progresses, communication difficulties are likely to increase. However, with the right approach, you can still maintain meaningful interactions and help them feel understood.

Here are some practical tips to support dementia communication:

●       Allow them time to respond – Avoid rushing the conversation. It may take a while for them to find the right words, and patience goes a long way.

●       Use warm, open body language – This includes things that we may overlook, such as soft eye contact, smiling, agreeing, and keeping arms unfolded.

●       Avoid correcting the person– Instead of pointing out mistakes, try to gently redirect the conversation or validate their feelings in the moment.

●       Speak slowly and clearly – Use simple language and short sentences. Speaking calmly and intentionally helps reduce confusion.

●       Limit distractions – Turn off background noise like the TV or radio so they can better focus on the conversation.

●       Use visual aids or gestures – Pointing, showing objects, or using facial expressions can help clarify your message and go a long way when supporting someone with dementia. 

Familiarity is key

Every person with dementia relies on familiarity to help navigate daily life and manage the confusion that can come with memory loss. Familiar routines, surroundings, and people provide a sense of security and comfort, so it’s essential to keep their environment consistent and safe. 

Here are some ways you can offer familiarity daily:

●       Avoid making unnecessary changes to their home - by avoiding rearranging furniture or replacing well-used items, you’ll help to keep disorientation to a minimum. 

●       Label cupboards and use signage - this helps them to keep their essential items in the same spot. 

●       Create a memory book or photo album - include photos of favourite places, family members, and so on. 

●       Play familiar music - this is a gentle approach to helping to keep the person grounded. 

●       Keep things predictable - this should include meals, wake and sleep times, bathing, and so on.

By preserving as much normality as possible, a person with dementia can face the challenges of their condition better. They’re also far more likely to remain calm when routines aren’t disrupted. 

Don’t neglect self-care and compassion 

Finally, but not least, it’s so important to prioritise self-care when supporting someone with dementia. As any carer knows, supporting a person with dementia can take its toll, both mentally and physically. By checking in with yourself before and after, you’ll be caring for yourself.

This could be as simple as a small ritual, like slowly savouring a cup of tea before preparing for stressors from interaction. Or, it could be something more intentional, such as keeping a journal and expressing your feelings openly and freely. Whatever you decide to do, don’t dwell too much on making mistakes or not showing up as you would like to every time, you’re only human too! 

If you’re finding it difficult to care for a loved one, speaking with a counsellor or trusted friend can be incredibly helpful. You don’t have to go through it alone; there is always support available to help you cope.