When you have a loved one with dementia, you want to do everything you can to help them cope with the diagnosis. Learn how to help someone with dementia so you can give them the support they need.
How to Help Someone with Dementia
Dementia doesn’t happen to every senior, but it’s a common enough diagnosis that it will touch most of us at some point in our lives. You may not have dementia, but you may have a friend or loved one who needs your support as they learn how to manage the condition. Understanding how to help someone with dementia is the best way you can provide that support.
Focus on the Individual
A dementia diagnosis will change your loved one’s life, but it won’t change who they are. Dementia also affects people differently, and no one-size-fits-all treatment or coping strategy works for every situation. Even if it’s tempting to “simplify” someone’s life by taking choices away, you won’t be doing them any favors if you ignore the things they want and need. Instead, a personalized approach is best:
- Include your loved one in making choices however possible. You can help them make choices by providing options, but let them make their own decisions whenever they can.
- Encourage them to do activities on their own and participate in household life whenever it is possible and safe to do so. Someone with dementia may not be able to cook for themselves, but they may be able to set the table for you.
- Take time to make positive memories and enjoy the time you spend together. Dementia can be isolating, and your loved one will appreciate maintaining strong social connections however they can.
Keep It Simple
Dementia affects cognitive abilities, which means that people with the condition can struggle with memory, mental processing, and their awareness of time. If you have a loved one with dementia, you can make their life easier by communicating clearly and providing simple ways to get things done:
- Have a daily routine, and stick to it. Be flexible when needed, but try and make meals and bedtime consistent. Pay attention to the times of day that are better for your loved one, and try to schedule tasks like doctor’s appointments for those times.
- Straightforward, one-step questions and statements are the best way to communicate with someone with dementia. Try to avoid outside distractions, like television, when having conversations.
- Safety concerns can make life with dementia confusing and frightening, so maintain a safe environment for your loved one to avoid the risk of injury. Keep dangerous substances like bleach locked away, keep common areas free of clutter, and be sure to have safety equipment like bathroom grab bars installed wherever appropriate.
Plan for the Future
One of the most important things to remember about dementia is that it is a progressive condition. Your loved ones’ needs will fluctuate from day to day, but ultimately, they will come to rely on you more and more. Prepare by researching dementia caregiving and learning how your lives together will change. If those changes become too overwhelming to manage, consider options like Memory Care.
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Making a plan for how to help someone with dementia can be challenging, but your loved one will be grateful for it. As long as you’re compassionate, flexible, and kind, you’ll be able to give them the help they need.
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