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How to support a person with a dementia

Dementia can bring changes to a person's life. If you're a carer or friend of a person with dementia, you can give them help and support 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 may have known for a long time
  • including them in group conversations
  • asking them their opinion and not assuming you know what they want
  • offering your support, as they may not feel confident enough to approach you and may need your 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.  When you communicate well with them, you can help increase their understanding and wellbeing.

  • Communicating with a person living with a dementia

Where to find help and support

Community and voluntary organisations can provide 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 the best ways 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

More useful links

  • Dementia services - Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 
  • Dementia services - Northern Health and Social Care Trust 
  • Dementia services - South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust 
  • Memory/ dementia services - Southern Health and Social Care Trust 
  • Dementia services - Western Health and Social Care Trust 
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Supporting someone with dementia

  • Dementia support: helping to maintain good health and nutrition
  • Dementia support: helping with eating and drinking
  • Dementia support: understanding and helping with swallowing issues
  • Dementia support: understanding and responding to changing behaviour
  • Dementia support: understanding and responding to distressed behaviour
  • Dementia support: understanding changing behaviour at mealtimes
  • How to support a person with a dementia
  • What to do if you’re worried someone has dementia

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