Dementia: Tips on how you can help

People living with dementia feel emotions, have a sense of self and want to connect with others. Choose words that express dignity and respect. When talking about and with people living with dementia, it is important to use person-centered language by putting the person first rather than the condition. For instance, terms like “a person living with dementia” or “a person with a diagnosis of dementia” are preferred.

Always assume that a person living with dementia is aware and listening. Include them directly in conversations and encourage them to join in where possible.

Avoid:

• words based on negative assumptions such as ‘suffer’, ‘victim’ or ‘senile’
• patronizing language or behaviour
• talking to people living with dementia like they’re children
• talking about them like they aren’t there

When visiting a person living with dementia, it is important to respect their personal space. Ask if they are comfortable with physical contact and be as close to them as is comfortable for you both.

Let people living with dementia finish sentences before responding. Validate what they say to let them know you were listening. For example:

• Use phrases like, "Yes, this does seem like a long wait."
• Offer verbal and non-verbal encouragement, like making eye contact and nodding

Before moving on, repeat or paraphrase what you've understood. For example:

• "What size coffee do you want?"
• "You want a large coffee today, right?"
• "Great, do you want milk in your coffee?"
• "Yes? Okay, I will add milk to your coffee."

Avoid telling them they're wrong or that you just told them something, as this may confuse or disorient them. Instead, focus on responding calmly and offer encouragement – sometimes all you need to do is just listen and reassure them that you care.

Your phrasing can help to put a person living with dementia more at ease. Even friendly questions like "How are you today?” can make them feel uncomfortable and like they have to answer. "Nice to see you," is a welcoming statement that doesn’t need an answer. Pay attention to how they respond to you and adjust your phrasing accordingly.

When speaking to a person living with dementia:

• introduce yourself and explain why you’re there
• ask clear and simple questions
• use shorter sentences that make one point each
• be patient and give time to respond
• sit or stand to be at the same level and make eye contact
• speak to them directly with words like ‘you’ or ‘your’ instead of ‘they’ or ‘their’

Raising your voice or rushing your words can make people living with dementia feel distressed, frustrated, confused or withdrawn from the conversation.

Use calm and friendly body language, and avoid body language that makes you seem frustrated or annoyed, like:

• sighing
• rolling your eyes
• crossing your arms

When talking with a person living with dementia, watch for non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, hand gestures and posture. Adjust how you are communicating if needed.

Try to communicate in different ways if they seem confused by what you say. You can:

• use hand gestures, like pointing
• offer to show them what you mean
• print or write out clear directions, with large print and photos if possible

Reduce distractions to help them understand you better:

• Stay still while you talk so they can focus on you
• Move to a quiet place to talk
• Lower the volume of items causing background noise, such as TVs, radios or fans
• Avoid sudden movements

If you can't reduce distractions, do your best to refocus the attention of the person living with dementia on the task or situation. For example:

• "I know it’s loud at the counter. Let's finish bagging your groceries. Then we can go outside to get away from the noise."

Dementia-inclusive communities are easy to access and navigate, and have:

• easily recognisable:
  • rest areas
  • neighbourhood amenities and services
  • open spaces
  • activity areas
  • landmarks and structures
  • crosswalks and signals
• fewer obstructions on or in:
  • sidewalks
  • pathways
  • store aisles
• good indoor and outdoor lighting
• visible, easy-to-understand signs with contrasting colours
• better physical access to and visual access within public areas
• clearly marked and accessible public facilities, like washrooms

Transportation in these communities is affordable and easy to use. For example, buses may use numbers and colour coding to make them easier to tell apart.

These communities have intergenerational housing options available, which:

• lowers social isolation
• supports social inclusion
• improves health and well-being of older adults
• increases older adults’ sense of belonging and self-esteem
• promotes understanding, social connections and respect between generations

Dementia-inclusive communities help people stay connected to their social networks and participate in community activities like:

• museum tours
• walking groups
• community choirs

Dementia-inclusive community activities are appropriate for the needs of people living with dementia, but participation isn’t always limited to them. This means that other community members can participate.

These activities involve people living with dementia in various ways to support inclusion, such as when developing dementia-related programs or campaigns.

Dementia-inclusive programs and policies support the development of and equal access to:

• health and social care services and programs that provide:
  • person-centered care
  • timely diagnosis and treatment
• support services that help to maintain independence, such as:
  • meal delivery
  • personal care
• peer support groups for people living with dementia and caregivers
• inclusiveness programs that reduce stigma, like intergenerational programs
• spaces and organizations that help people living with dementia to safely take part in the community, such as:
  • businesses (e.g. banking, retail)
  • recreational areas
  • healthcare facilities
  • government buildings
  • entertainment facilities
  • faith or worship centres

These programs and policies:

• increase awareness and understanding through education
• improve outreach efforts to people of all ages
• encourage communities to work with people living with dementia
• show how people living with dementia have been included and supported in their communities
• increase employment and volunteer options for people living with dementia in safe and welcoming environments

Canada’s dementia strategy works towards an end to stigma, and all people living in Canada understanding dementia. Different dementia-related projects are supported, including those that:

• aim to reduce stigma
• encourage dementia-inclusive communities

Specific programs include:

• the Dementia Strategic Fund
• the Dementia Community Investment

These programs fund projects carried out by organizations across Canada and aim to:

• improve the wellbeing of:
  • people living with dementia
  • family or friend caregivers
• reduce stigma and stigmatizing behaviours
• encourage and support communities to be more dementia-inclusive