The Dementia Journey · A free resource from Caring Companions
One page, whole family. These work best when everyone who helps with care uses the same approach. Post it where you'll all see it.
From the front, in their line of sight · slow to half speed, pause an arm's length away · greet with an open hand, a small wave · say their name first ("June."), then yours if needed · offer your hand and let them take it · come alongside, not head-on · get to eye level · connect warmly before the ask.
From Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Care®, used under license. Our own caregivers train in this.
If a sentence has an "and" in it, make it two sentences with a breath between. Say the noun, skip the pronoun ("put on the blue coat," not "put it on"). Hold up the object as you name it.
After one sentence, wait ten real seconds. Count them. Rephrasing too soon hands them a brand-new sentence to start over on. Silence isn't failure; silence is processing.
"Blue blouse or the yellow?" · "Tea or coffee?" · "Shower now or after breakfast?" Show both when you can. On hard days, one warm suggestion: "The blue one's your favorite. Here we go."
No talking about them as if they're not there · no public corrections · no baby talk · no quizzing · never "don't you remember?" · no discussing private care in front of visitors.