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, 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.

To read more, go to:

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 ensure 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 more information and support services from the following organisations, see also ‘more useful links section’:

The Public Health Agency has also produced a range of information to help support people with a dementia, their families and friends.

This information includes the following publications:

Dementia apps library

The ‘Apps4Dementia’ library is a digital service which groups together safe, trusted apps to provide information and guidance on the condition.

There a number of apps that offer support, self-care of symptoms and enable users to carry on with their day-to-day activities for as long as possible.

More useful links

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