You know your loved one the best so seek out questions that relate to happy moments in their life. Did they enjoy their childhood, their career, their big family? Look for moments they will enjoy reminiscing about.
As a starting point, here are some tips to improve communication between you and the person you are connecting with.
Try sharing your own memory or story first - the details of your recollections may spark memories. Avoid asking ‘Do you remember when…’ but instead share an experience on a specific topic and ask the person with dementia to reciprocate with their own memory or story. Be as descriptive as possible and paint a picture using all your senses.
Work with the details the person with dementia remembers - with many memories, certain elements of the moment stick in the mind stronger than others. If the person with dementia can share and describe their first house - the colour of the walls, the shape of the garden, the size of the kitchen - and recall how amazing it was but not the street or town it was located in, it’s okay to stay on the details they remember.
Make sure it’s a back-and-forth conversation - avoid asking complicated questions or only asking questions and not responding to the person with dementia’s replies. A constant stream of queries may make them feel intimidated or under the spotlight, which may make them withdraw.
Adapt to the person with dementia - is there a time of day when the person with dementia can communicate more clearly? This is a good time to focus on opening connections. Some days will be easier than others, so make sure you adapt the question complexity depending on whether it’s a ‘good’ day or not.
Practice active listening - this means offering verbal and non-verbal encouragement such as making eye contact, nodding and reacting to what the person with dementia is saying. It’s also helpful to read body language, as this can reveal clear signals about how they are feeling as they recall certain memories.
Include the person with dementia in conversations with others - help them feel included by bringing them into conversations with others. This can also support their sense of identity and feeling of being valued. The most important thing is not to speak as though they are not there.
Revisiting a cherished memory is an enriching and positive experience for people with dementia. Asking the right questions can bring out these positive moments and recollections that can be savoured even when that person can no longer remember them. Here are some suggested questions to ask dementia patients as a starting point.
● My mother/father always makes amazing [type of food]. Do you like this? What was your favourite food growing up?
● I used to spend hours outside in the fields and woods near my house growing up. Did you like exploring as a child?
● I miss my pet [cat/dog/rabbit] when I’m away from home. He/she’s called [name of pet]. Did you have a pet? What was their name?
● On my recent travels, I flew over to [country], it was amazing exploring a new place and culture. How you ever been there? Where was your favourite country/place to visit?
● Once, when my son/daughter was little, they were being funny by [share a story]. Do you have any stories from when your children were young?
● My favourite film is [movie] because [reason]. What kind of films do you like? Do you have a favourite?
● Outside the window, I can see the daffodils swaying in the breeze. They are a beautiful golden yellow and I love planting them in my own garden. Do you like gardening?
● When we were teenagers, my friends and I used to love catching the train to [place]. What did you and your friends do for fun at that age?
● I played a lot of [type of sport] when I was younger and still do sometimes. Which sports have you enjoyed?
● My mother/father/teacher once told me ‘[message]’ and it always stuck with me. What was the most valuable thing you’ve learned from your parents?
● A funny thing happened to me yesterday. It was.. [share funny story]. What’s the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?
Finding the right questions to ask dementia patients can make all the difference to their mental wellbeing and sense of connection with those around them. And in the same way, finding a welcoming and homely atmosphere with extra support and care can make all the difference to their sense of safety and comfort. At Wisteria House Care Homes, we specialise in high quality of life for people living with dementia, treating everyone as individuals and encouraging all to make decisions by providing the right support.
To find out more about respite services or booking a room for a loved one, please get in touch.
In times of need, caring for a loved one is a natural decision for many. That said, it’s not always easy. Caring for someone, no matter how much you love them, can be emotionally and physically demanding and, sometimes, it’s really important to turn that love inward and take breaks.
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.
With Father’s Day fast approaching, many people are searching for thoughtful gifts for their loved ones. But for some, choosing the right gift can be especially difficult, particularly when buying for a family member with dementia.
Encourage positive conversations and deeper connections with dementia patients by asking the right questions. Whether over the phone, on a virtual call or in-person, the best questions phrased in the right way can invoke happy memories and shared moments. Many people with dementia can recall vivid memories from their past and love to share them. Here are some tips and questions to ask dementia patients to encourage communication.
If you’re looking for some new and interesting ways to help stimulate and entertain someone who is suffering from dementia, we can help.
Dementia is a complex condition affecting a person’s cognitive ability and can impact everything from their memory, problem-solving skills and language skills in day-to-day life. This can be extremely difficult for the person with dementia to come to terms with, especially as the condition progresses and they become more reliant on others for help with simple tasks.
Many dementia patients will also experience increased anxiety or agitation because of the condition, and one of the ways this can manifest is by increased fidgeting, especially with the hands.
It’s well-known that music is a universal language – one that speaks to us all on a primal level. It creates the soundtrack to many of our days, including some of our most cherished moments, and also has the ability to both lift our spirits and soothe us too. And, while music is an important part of many people’s lives, the benefits of music therapy for dementia patients is especially poignant. Tapping into memories and emotions on a different level, it can be a powerful tool for those living with dementia and its symptoms.
With temperatures dropping and bad weather arriving, it’s important that people with dementia get the extra care they need to be comfortable and feel safe.
Winter often brings more challenges for people with dementia and their caregivers, facing heightened feelings of social isolation and stress. Alongside the extra physical hazards from ice and snow, sometimes symptoms can get temporarily worse. People with dementia may not be able to communicate that they are cold or explain how they are feeling
As the season casts its silvery cloak and the nights draw in, there’s no better time to hunker down and cosy up than winter. One of the best activities for relaxed mornings and slow afternoons during this time of year, winter crafts offer a great way to occupy hands and minds during this season of resetting and rebalancing.