Ways to Support People With Dementia

Staying active

Staying active is beneficial for people with dementia, and can help improve their mental and physical health. Even small amounts of physical activity can improve symptoms of dementia. For example, walking for half a mile once a day can help reduce symptoms. Going up and down the stairs several times can also help. The aim is to have 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week.

An exercise program can help people with dementia extend the health benefits of physical activity for as long as possible. A trained fitness instructor can help those with dementia to get the most out of their physical activity. During the later stages of the disease, the exercise will also help with behavioral issues. Aerobic exercises, resistance training, flexibility and balance activities can all help control behavioral issues in people with dementia.

Communicating with a person with dementia

When communicating with a person with dementia, the key is to use a tone of voice that is pleasant and respectful. Attempt to avoid using high pitch words and avoid talking too close to their face. It is also important to use short, simple words and to maintain eye contact. Some people with dementia may be unable to understand your words, so you should be patient and try to understand their way of thinking.

A warm, genuine smile conveys happiness and reduces the risk of challenging behaviors. It also helps to bend down to ensure a respectful conversation. Try not to ask too many questions, as this will only increase the risk of challenging behavior.

Creating a life story

Creating a life story can be a rewarding and stimulating activity for someone with dementia. It can be as simple as collecting memories in a shoe box or life story book. The benefits of capturing these memories can be surprising, from reducing feelings of depression to relieving boredom.

Creating a life story can be done in a number of settings and with a variety of participants. A recent study concluded that participants had varied motivations for sharing their life stories. Some wanted to (re)affirm their identities, while others wanted to know more about people with dementia and their challenging behaviours.