Tips for Assisting Someone With Dementia

1. Understanding Dementia and Its Stages

Dementia is a progressive condition that affects memory, communication, and thinking. Common types include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

Understanding the general stages — early, middle, and late — can help you anticipate your loved one’s needs and respond more calmly as symptoms change.

Why This Matters

Knowing what to expect makes it easier to plan ahead, adjust routines, and support your loved one in a way that reduces confusion and stress.

2. Communicating With Compassion

Communication becomes more challenging as dementia progresses. The right approach helps reduce frustration for both you and your loved one.

Use Simple, Clear Language

Speak slowly, use short sentences, and give one-step instructions. Too much information at once can be overwhelming.

Maintain Eye Contact and a Calm Tone

This helps your loved one feel safe and supported.

Validate Their Feelings

If they’re confused, upset, or repeating questions, avoid arguing. Instead, acknowledge their feelings and gently redirect the conversation.

3. Creating a Safe Home Environment

A safe, familiar environment reduces the risk of falls and confusion.

Reduce Fall Risks

Clear pathways, remove clutter, use non-slip rugs, and improve lighting — especially in hallways and bathrooms.

Prevent Wandering

Install simple door alarms, consider childproof doorknobs, or add signs on doors to help cue your loved one.

Make the Bathroom Safer

Add grab bars, a shower chair, and non-slip mats to reduce the risk of accidents.

4. Supporting Daily Activities

Daily routines become more manageable with structure and patience.

Keep Routines Consistent

Predictability helps reduce anxiety.

Break Tasks Into Smaller Steps

For example, “Let’s wash your hands” may work better than giving multiple instructions at once.

Encourage Independence

Let your loved one do what they can — even small tasks help maintain confidence.

5. Managing Difficult Behaviors

Changes in behavior are common with dementia. Instead of reacting to the behavior itself, look for the cause behind it.

Common Behaviors Include:

Agitation, restlessness, wandering, sundowning, and resistance to care.

Respond With Patience

Stay calm, speak gently, and give your loved one space if they seem overwhelmed.

Identify Triggers

Behavior changes often happen for a reason: pain, hunger, discomfort, noise, or overstimulation.

6. Encouraging Engagement and Connection

Meaningful activities help reduce anxiety, improve mood, and maintain cognitive function.

Simple, Comforting Activities

Try music, folding laundry, looking at family photos, sorting objects, or taking a short walk.

Use Sensory Activities

Textures, scents, soft blankets, or familiar objects can provide comfort.

7. Caring for Yourself as a Caregiver

Supporting someone with dementia is emotionally and physically demanding.

Build a Support System

Lean on family, friends, or support groups. You don’t have to do this alone.

Recognize Burnout

Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or irritable is a sign you may need extra help.

Taking care of yourself allows you to care more effectively for your loved one.

8. When to Consider Professional Dementia Care

As dementia progresses, home care may become necessary to ensure safety and quality of life.

Signs It May Be Time for Help:

• Wandering or getting lost

• Increased confusion

• Frequent falls

• Behavioral changes

• Difficulty with basic daily activities

Professional caregivers trained in dementia can provide structure, safety, and emotional support.

9. How In-Home Care Supports Dementia

Specialized dementia caregivers can help with:

• Daily routines

• Personal care

• Medication reminders

• Engagement and stimulation

• Safety and fall prevention

• Reducing caregiver stress

At Monarch Care Co, our caregivers receive specialized dementia training — ensuring your loved one is supported with empathy, patience, and skill.