Section 2: Caring for someone with dementia

Practical advice about issues facing families, carers, friends and also useful for health professionals of people with dementia.

2.1 Communication

This Help Sheet explains some of the changes in communication that occur as a result of dementia and suggests ways that families and carers can help. It also includes some personal tips on communication written by a person with dementia.

Download a copy of the Help Sheet - 2.1 Communication

2.2 Therapies and communication approaches

This Help Sheet briefly explains three approaches to communicating with people with dementia – Validation Therapy, Music Therapy and Reminiscence. Many families and carers find these approaches helpful in providing support that is respectful and dignified when communication is difficult.

Download a copy of the Help Sheet - 2.2 Therapies and communication approaches

2.3 Safety issues

This Help Sheet discusses some of the safety issues that need to be considered when caring for someone with dementia. It provides some tips for safety inside and outside the home, and a basic safety checklist for use by families and carers.

Download a copy of the Help Sheet - 2.3 Safety issues

2.4 Caring for someone who lives alone

Families and carers often have particular concerns about someone with dementia who lives alone. This Help Sheet discusses specific issues that may arise and some ways to help the person live alone safely.

Download a copy of the Help Sheet - 2.4 Caring for someone who lives alone

2.5 Activities

This Help Sheet provides information about planning and providing appropriate activities for people with dementia.

Download a copy of the Help Sheet - 2.5 Activities

2.6 Making the most of Respite Care

This Help Sheet discusses some of the ways that families and carers can make respite care a positive experience for themselves and for the person with dementia. It provides some practical suggestions for planning and using respite.

Download a copy of the Help Sheet - 2.6 Making the most of Respite Care

2.7 Driving

Families and carers may be worried about a person with dementia who continues to drive.This Help Sheet describes the effects that dementia may have on driving skills and suggests ways to help a driver who has been diagnosed with dementia.

Download a copy of the Help Sheet - 2.7 Driving

2.8 Travelling

This Help Sheet provides information for families and carers about travelling with someone with dementia. It lists some warning signs for when travel may be inappropriate and some helpful suggestions for planning a trip and for travelling.

Download a copy of the Help Sheet - 2.8 Travelling

2.9 Working with doctors

If someone you are caring for has dementia, over time you will meet many doctors, both general practitioners and medical specialists. This Help Sheet discusses effective ways of working together with doctors to obtain the information and support that you need.

Help Sheet - 2.9 Working with doctors

2.10 Going to hospital

A hospital admission can be daunting for anyone, but especially so for a person with dementia. If you are caring for someone with dementia who needs to go to hospital, this Help Sheet provides information to make the hospital experience easier for you and for the person with dementia.

Download a copy of the Help Sheet - 2.10 Going to hospital

2.11 Pain

People with dementia should have any pain treated quickly and effectively but it is not always easy to determine they are in pain. This Help Sheet discusses some of the causes and ways to recognise and treat pain.

Download a copy of the Help Sheet - 2.11 Pain

2.12 Eating

This Help Sheet provides a number of practical strategies for people caring for someone with dementia who is having problems eating.

Download a copy of the Help Sheet - 2.12 Eating

2.13 Nutrition

This Help Sheet discusses the importance of good nutrition, and provides some practical ways that families and carers can ensure that a person with dementia is well nourished.

Help Sheet - 2.13 Nutrition

2.14 Dental care

This Help Sheet provides information about caring for the dental health of people with dementia. It discusses some of the possible causes of dental problems as well as practical advice for maintaining the best possible dental health.

Help Sheet - 2.14 Dental care

2.15 Dressing

This Help Sheet explains some of the problems that people with dementia may have when dressing. It offers families and carers a number of practical suggestions for managing these common problems.

Help Sheet - 2.15 Dressing

2.16 Sleeping

This Help Sheet discusses some of the causes of sleeping problems and provides some suggestions for families and carers to help manage this common, yet difficult problem.

Help Sheet - 2.16 Sleeping

2.17 Hygiene

This Help Sheet looks at the issue of hygiene for people with dementia. It discusses some of the possible causes of problems, as well as suggestions to help families and carers manage bathing, shaving, dental, hair and nail care.

Help Sheet - 2.17 Hygiene

2.18 Continence

This Help Sheet explains incontinence and some of the reasons that it may occur in people with dementia. It suggests ways that families and carers can manage the problem.

Help Sheet - 2.18 Continence

2.19 Intimacy and sexual issues

This Help Sheet discusses intimacy and sexual issues for people with dementia, their families and carers. It describes the importance of these issues in their lives and ways to deal with some of the problems that may arise.

Help Sheet - 2.19 Intimacy and sexual issues

2.20 Later stages of dementia

Dementia is a progressive condition and people with dementia will become increasingly frail. This Help Sheet describes what to expect in the later stages of dementia and some issues that may be useful to consider.

Help Sheet - 2.20 Later stages of dementia

2.21 Palliative care and dementia

Palliative care approaches have a crucial role to play in the care of the person with dementia who is dying, and in the support of their family and carers. This Help Sheet provides some information about how the person with dementia can be supported to die in comfort and with dignity.

Help Sheet - 2.21 Palliative care and dementia