Key takeaways
- Keep a fixed daily routine — it reduces confusion and anxiety.
- Use short, simple sentences and offer one choice at a time.
- Secure doors, medicines, gas and sharp objects to prevent harm.
- Caregivers need regular breaks to avoid burnout.
Understanding dementia
Dementia is a gradual decline in memory, thinking and the ability to manage daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type. As it progresses, the person may forget recent events, repeat questions, get lost, struggle with tasks like dressing, and become anxious or irritable. These changes are caused by the illness — not by stubbornness.
Communication tips
- 1. Approach from the front and say the person’s name before speaking.
- 2. Use short, simple sentences and speak slowly and calmly.
- 3. Ask one question at a time and give simple choices.
- 4. Do not argue or correct every mistake — gently redirect instead.
- 5. Use photos, gestures and touch to support your words.
Daily routine and activities
- 6. Keep waking, meals, bathing and sleep at the same times every day.
- 7. Break tasks into small steps and lay out clothes in the order they are worn.
- 8. Include familiar, enjoyable activities — old songs, prayers, folding clothes, simple gardening.
- 9. A short walk or time in daylight helps sleep at night.
Managing difficult behaviour
- 10. Sundowning (more confusion in the evening): keep rooms well lit, reduce noise and avoid tea or coffee late in the day.
- 11. Repeated questions: answer calmly, or write the answer on a board the person can see.
- 12. Agitation: look for hidden causes such as pain, constipation, hunger, a full bladder or infection.
A sudden worsening of confusion can be a sign of a urinary infection, dehydration or medicine side effect, so tell the doctor.
Home safety
- 13. Fit door chimes or locks placed out of eye level to reduce wandering; keep an ID card with the family phone number on the person.
- 14. Lock away medicines, sharp tools and cleaning chemicals; turn off the gas at the main valve.
- 15. Remove trip hazards and use night lights to prevent falls.
Looking after yourself
Dementia care is a long journey. Share responsibilities in the family, take regular breaks, and consider a trained attendant for a few hours a day or overnight. Caregivers who rest are more patient and provide better care.
Frequently asked questions
Is dementia the same as Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is the broader term for memory and thinking decline that affects daily life.
How do I stop a person with dementia from wandering?
Keep a routine, ensure they are not bored or in discomfort, use door alarms or chimes, and make sure they carry identification with a family phone number.
When does a dementia patient need full-time care?
When they cannot be left alone safely — for example, wandering, leaving the gas on, falls or needing help with eating and toileting — a full-time attendant is advisable.
This guide is general information for families, not medical advice. Always follow your treating doctor’s instructions. In an emergency call 108 / 112.