How to support someone with a dementia

Dementia can bring changes to a person's life. If you're a carer or friend of someone with dementia, you can help and support them in their everyday life and activities.

Helping a person with dementia

If you're a carer or friend of a person with a dementia, there are different ways to support them in their everyday life.

You can help by:

remembering they are still the person and friend you know
including them in group conversations
asking their opinion and not assuming you know what they want
offering your support, as they may not feel confident enough to ask for help
being sensitive, for example, understanding and supporting their approach to living with the condition
remembering they can still do the same things as you with a little help

Helping a person with dementia have a social life

People with a dementia should continue to enjoy their hobbies and interests as much as possible.

You can offer support by:

including them in social activities and events
encouraging them to join a conversation
involving them in an activity they enjoy

Communicating with a person living with a dementia

You can help support a person living with a dementia by using good communication.

Good communication helps their understanding and wellbeing.

Communicating with a person living with a dementia

Help and support

Community and voluntary organisations offer help and support to people affected by a dementia, their family and friends.

This support includes:

information about services
carers' training programmes to make sure family and friends know how to support a person with a dementia
group support services for people with a dementia and their carers

You can find further information on dementia and support services available at the link below:

Help and support for people living with a dementia

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