How Can I Help Someone with Dementia?

Dementia is a term describing a group of symptoms that affect a person’s cognitive abilities, such as memory, thinking and language. It is an umbrella term for a syndrome that may be caused by other conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease or a stroke. 

Research shows that more than 900,000 people in the UK are currently living with dementia. As symptoms progress over time, dementia can have a significant impact on a person’s day-to-day life. 

If you have a loved one living with dementia, understanding their experience and learning how to support their needs can make a real difference in providing Dementia Care. In this guide, we will discuss the importance of dementia awareness, and how to help someone with dementia.

Educating Yourself About Dementia

The first step in helping someone with dementia is to educate yourself about the disease. Understanding dementia and its progression can help you anticipate and manage its symptoms. The more you know about your loved one’s experience, the better you can assist them throughout their journey.

Education is not just about understanding the medical aspects of dementia. It's also about understanding the person behind the disease. Each person with dementia is unique, with their own life history, preferences, and personality. By learning about the person, and not solely focusing on their symptoms, you can provide care and support that is tailored to their individual needs and preferences.

Adapting to Their Reality

People with dementia often have impaired insight into their cognition and ability levels. They may not fully understand the difficulties that they are facing, or how their condition is affecting them. This can lead to individuals being reluctant to accept that they need help, and feeling frustrated when others offer to do things for them. Living with dementia can also be a source of stress, anxiety and fear.

As a loved one of someone living with dementia, it's important to try to see things from their perspective and adapt to their reality. It’s about meeting them where they are, offering understanding and empathy. This approach, often referred to as "validation therapy," can help your loved one to stay grounded and work through difficult emotions.

Communication Strategies

Effective communication is key when supporting someone living with dementia. Communicating with someone living with dementia is about listening as much as it is about talking. Those living with dementia may have trouble expressing their thoughts and finding the right words, as well as understanding and remembering information. Here are some strategies that can help.

Speaking Clearly and Calmly

People living with dementia often take longer to process language and information. Using short sentences and speaking slowly can make things easier for them to understand.

When communicating with someone living with dementia, it's important to keep your language simple and clear. Avoid long sentences, complicated questions and jargon that might confuse them. Instead, use short, straightforward sentences and speak in a calm, reassuring and conversational tone. This can help to reduce feelings of confusion or frustration.

Take frequent breaks while speaking, allowing ample time for the person to process and respond. 

Listening and Validating Their Feelings

Validation, or acknowledging the feelings of the person with dementia, can help them feel heard and supported. It’s about showing empathy and understanding, even if their reality is different from ours. This approach can help build trust and improve communication, making it easier for you to provide the support they need.

Instead of correcting them or arguing, consider how you would feel in their position. Allow them to express their emotions and try not to interrupt. Respond with empathy, rephrasing what they have said to show that you understand. Pay attention to their body language and facial expressions and keep your own body language open and relaxed.

Practical Tips for Helping Someone with Dementia

If you're living with or caring for someone with dementia, here are some practical tips that can help make life easier.

Allowing Ample Time

People with dementia often take longer to complete tasks. They may have trouble remembering what to do or where things are, or what order to do things in. 

Patience is key when caring for someone living with dementia. It's important to remember that they are doing their best, even if tasks take longer than they used to. By allowing them ample time to complete tasks, you can help reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and frustration, and create a more relaxed and supportive environment. This can help them to adapt to their condition and manage their symptoms more effectively. 

Simplifying the Environment

A calm, comfortable and simplified environment can be enormously beneficial to individuals living with dementia. For example, removing older clothes from their wardrobe can[EH1]  make it easier for the person with dementia to see inside and choose what to wear.

There are many things you can do to help create a dementia-friendly environment, such as:

• Reducing clutter and distractions that can cause confusion. This might involve simplifying the layout of the room and keeping the floor and surfaces tidy.
• Using clear labels and signs to help your loved one find their way around and remind them of things they need to do. 
• Keeping the atmosphere calm, quiet, warm and comfortable, with soft furnishings and good lighting. Try to limit background noise, such as TVs and radios.

By creating a supportive environment, you can help the person with dementia feel more comfortable and secure.

Creating a Daily Routine

Routine can provide a sense of security, predictability and comfort for people living with dementia. It can also help them to take care of themselves. For example, having set mealtimes and setting reminders may encourage the person to eat and drink. Similarly, creating a bedtime routine with relaxing activities can help them to maintain a healthy sleep schedule.

Try to maintain the person’s regular routine as much as possible - this can help reduce feelings of confusion and disorientation and make the day more manageable. Ideally, schedule activities around their natural rhythms. If they are a late riser, for example, plan doctor's appointments for the afternoon.

Helping with Everyday Tasks

As your loved one’s symptoms change, they may begin to require more assistance with everyday tasks, such as bathing, preparing food, shopping and gardening. 

It’s important to offer as much help as they need, while allowing them to do as much as they can themselves. Reassure them that you are there for them and will make sure they’re safe.

This can help them to maintain their cognitive and physical skills and feel more capable and self-confident. 

Looking after someone living with dementia can be demanding role, so remember to take care of yourself. Don’t be afraid to seek support from friends, family members or carers. You may also benefit from expressing your thoughts and feelings in talking therapy.

If your loved one begins to require more support than you can provide, it may be worth having a conversation about moving into a care home. You can read more about the benefits of residential dementia care here.

Dementia Care at KYN

With the right support and resources, you can help your loved one live a fulfilling life with dementia. If there comes a time when your loved one would benefit from specialist, round-the-clock support, KYN can help.

At KYN, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding residential dementia care in positive, supportive environments. We believe in empowering our residents as individuals, understanding and honouring their unique needs, preferences and abilities. We strive to support our residents’ independence, maintain their dignity and identity, and enrich their quality of life.

To find out more about our dementia care homes or request a brochure, contact KYN today via our website, telephone or email.