Real Life Scenarios

Real-life scenarios for Dementia Caregivers

Dementia care partners strive to provide compassionate care, but are often frustrated by challenging behaviors. We created helpful videos to empower caregivers by showing how a personalized approach can preserve dignity, convey a sense of safety and enhance quality of life.

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Approaching and Engaging

Connecting with someone living with dementia starts with how you approach them. Learn simple tips like moving slowly and calmly, getting down to their eye level, using gentle hand gestures, and keeping your words simple can make them feel safe.

Initiation

Brain changes may make it difficult for a person living with dementia to initiate (begin) an activity. Learn effective tips to make getting started easier for both of you.

Mealtime

Learn simple ways to create a calm, comfortable experiences during mealtime, like sitting beside your loved one rather than standing over them, offering encouraging smiles, and using gentle gestures to guide them.

Reality Orientation Doesn’t Work

Learn more compassionate alternatives, such as acknowledging feelings, asking questions or offering a hug.

Toileting

Learn a few thoughtful techniques can make toileting easier, such as using clear directions, show on self first then gesture for them to copy, get at eye level, say “Thank you”.

Waking

Learn common approaches to waking up a patient, such as getting to their eye level, use name to wake slowly, speaks slowly with few words.

I want to go home

Learn what to say when a patient says “I want to go Home". Respond with compassion, along with simple tips like greeting them cheerfully, getting down to their eye level, and building genuine connection to help ease their distress.

Exit Seeking

Learn helpful strategies like using their name, approaching slowly and calmly, and knowing the right words to say to de-escalate the situation and help them feel safe.

Agitation

When someone with dementia becomes agitated, it may signal an unmet need for purpose. Discover helpful techniques such as asking thoughtful questions, building connections, offering a sincere 'thank you,' and guiding them toward meaningful activities.

Delusions and Hallucinations

When someone with dementia experiences delusions or hallucinations, knowing how to respond can make a real difference. Learn compassionate strategies like matching their emotional tone to show you understand and calmly guiding them to a place where they feel secure.

Bathing and Brushing teeth

Learn simple, effective tips like greeting them warmly by name, approaching slowly and calmly, and choosing softer language like 'freshen up' instead of 'shower' to avoid triggering resistance.

Video project supported by grant #90ADPI0058 from US Admin for Community Living, Dept. Health and Human Services.