Communication Tips for Talking with Someone Who Has Dementia
Practical ways to talk with someone living with dementia: how to set up a conversation, what to say instead of quizzing or correcting, and how to listen.
Caregiving Guides
Plain, practical help for the everyday moments of caring for someone living with dementia, including caring for yourself.
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Start hereHow to Play Games with Someone Who Has DementiaTreat a game as time together, not a test. Pick a calm time of day, sit side by side in a quiet room, and offer one simple game. Let the person set the pace, never correct harmless mistakes, make the game easier at the first sign of strain, and turn pictures into conversation. Stop while it still feels good. Ending early, or simply watching together, is a good outcome.Read the guide →
When Someone with Dementia Refuses or Gets Frustrated with an Activity
Why a person living with dementia may refuse or get upset with an activity, what to try instead, what to avoid, and when a sudden change needs a doctor.
Sundowning: Calm Late-Afternoon Activities for People with Dementia
Gentle routines, room changes and calm activities that may ease late-day restlessness in dementia, plus when to call a doctor about new or worsening symptoms.
Setting Up a Tablet or Phone for Someone with Dementia
Step-by-step tablet and phone setup for someone with dementia: lock to one app, larger text, fewer notifications, a simple home screen, volume and privacy.
How to Choose Dementia Apps and Games
A caregiver's checklist for choosing dementia apps and games: start with your goal, avoid timers and ads, check privacy, and read evidence claims with care.
Caregiver Self-Care: Respite, Support and Signs of Burnout
Signs of caregiver burnout, how to find respite and support groups, and free US helplines, including the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline and Eldercare Locator.
When Someone with Dementia Keeps Asking to Go Home
Why a person living with dementia asks to go home even when they are home, what to say, calming activities to try, and how to keep them safe if they try to leave.
When Someone with Dementia Asks the Same Question Again and Again
Why a person living with dementia asks the same question over and over, calm ways to answer, simple tools that help, and when a sudden change needs a doctor.
Home Safety for Someone with Dementia
A room-by-room home safety review for dementia caregivers, with practical checks for lighting, trip hazards, medicines and everyday routines.
Traveling with Someone Who Has Dementia
Plan a trip with someone living with dementia: choose a comfortable route, protect familiar routines, pack essentials and prepare a simple backup plan.
Supporting Someone with Dementia Who Lives Alone
Support someone with dementia who lives alone with steady routines, agreed check-ins and practical help, while keeping their wishes and independence central.
Making Mealtimes Easier for Someone with Dementia
Practical ways to make meals calmer for someone with dementia: familiar food, fewer distractions, clear table settings, enough time and room for independence.
Helping Someone with Dementia Bathe
Practical ways to support bathing with dementia: protect privacy, offer choices, prepare the room and pause or try another approach if needed.
Pet Care and Dementia: Support a Shared Routine
Help someone with dementia keep a pet-care routine with reminders, agreed help and backup plans that respect the person's choices and the animal's needs.
Oral Care for Someone with Dementia
Help someone with dementia keep a familiar mouth-care routine with simple cues, permission and dentist support for pain, dentures or new problems.
Getting Dressed with Dementia
Help someone with dementia get dressed with more comfort and choice. Use familiar clothes, simple cues, privacy and enough time.
Toileting and Incontinence Support for People with Dementia
Support toilet visits with privacy, familiar routines and simple cues. Ask about new problems, and do not restrict fluids without medical advice.
Talking About Driving and Dementia
Start a calm, early conversation about driving and dementia. Plan transport choices, note specific concerns and involve qualified local professionals.
Preparing for a Doctor Visit with Dementia
Prepare for a doctor visit with dementia: list questions, note changes, bring medication details and include the person in decisions with consent.
Going to Hospital with Dementia
Prepare for a planned or emergency hospital stay with dementia: share care preferences, bring familiar items and agree on discharge steps.
Recognizing Pain in Someone with Dementia
Pain can be hard to describe with dementia. Notice changes, ask in familiar words and contact a health professional rather than guessing at the cause.
Helping Someone with Dementia Drink Enough
Help someone with dementia drink enough by offering preferred drinks throughout the day. Ask a doctor about fluid needs and new swallowing problems.
Choosing In-Home Help for Someone with Dementia
Choose in-home dementia support by defining needed help, asking about experience and backup, involving the person and checking costs and terms.
Choosing Residential Care for Someone with Dementia
Compare residential dementia care by the person's needs, staff approach, daily life and costs. Include them in visits and decisions as they wish.
Helping Someone with Dementia Manage Medicines
Support medicine routines with clear lists, pharmacist guidance and respect for independence. Never change a dose based on online advice.
Choosing an Adult Day Program with Dementia
Compare adult day programs for dementia by activities, staff, support, transport and fit with the person's wishes. Ask about fees and attendance rules.
Emergency Planning with Dementia
Prepare for storms, fires or evacuation with dementia: plan contacts, transport, medicines and familiar comfort items, and follow local emergency advice.
Talking with Children About Dementia
Explain dementia to a child with honest, age-aware answers. Protect their routines and privacy, welcome questions, and keep care responsibilities with adults.
After a Dementia Diagnosis: Where to Start
A clear starting point after a dementia diagnosis: plan follow-up, find support and involve the person in choices at a pace that works for them.
Working After a Younger-Onset Dementia Diagnosis
Explore work choices after a younger-onset dementia diagnosis: review tasks, ask about support, protect privacy and check local employment and benefit rules.
When Someone with Dementia Doesn't Recognize You
If someone with dementia doesn't recognize you, introduce yourself calmly, skip memory tests, offer familiar cues if welcome and seek help for sudden changes.
When Families Disagree About Dementia Care
A calm way to discuss dementia care disagreements: include the person's wishes, separate facts from assumptions, divide tasks and ask for outside help.
When Someone with Dementia Is Suspicious or Accuses You
Respond calmly to suspicion about missing items, check the facts, keep clear routines and ask a clinician about new or distressing changes.
Managing Money with Dementia: Safer Support
Learn how to offer bill-paying help with dementia while keeping the person involved, understand trusted contacts and act if a scam is suspected.
When Someone with Dementia Sees or Hears Things
Learn how to respond calmly when someone with dementia sees or hears things, check the surroundings and know when sudden changes need medical help.
When Someone with Dementia Becomes Angry or Aggressive
Learn how to respond safely when anger becomes aggression in dementia, what might contribute, and when to seek medical or emergency help.
Long-Distance Caregiving for Someone with Dementia
Support someone with dementia from far away: agree on roles, coordinate local help, plan visits and respect the person's wishes.
What to Do After Someone with Dementia Falls
What to do after a fall involving someone with dementia: when to call emergency services, how to keep them safe and why follow-up matters.
Supporting an LGBTQ+ Person with Dementia
Practical ways to respect an LGBTQ+ person's identity, privacy, partner and chosen supporters while planning dementia care.
Supporting Multilingual Communication in Dementia Care
Support a multilingual person with dementia by asking their language preference, using familiar cues and arranging language help for appointments.
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