7 tips for healthcare professionals

The physical environments of hospitals and other care settings can be highly distracting and confusing to people living with dementia and can cause them distress.

Most people living with dementia will benefit from being given space to do things by themselves and to spend time with their visitors alone. By understanding the individual’s strengths and abilities, you will be able to offer support when required.

It can often be difficult for people living with dementia to communicate in hospital or care settings, especially when healthcare professionals lack a proper understanding of dementia and the listening skills required. If a person with dementia feels like they are not being properly listened to, this can cause them distress and may result in their care not meeting their specific needs.

It’s important for healthcare professionals to remember that people living with dementia have unique requirements when it comes to communication. Dementia makes it harder for people to concentrate and they may be unable to hold multiple ideas in their minds during conversation. Unfortunately, the distractions and stresses that often occur with hospital admissions or group care settings can make communication more difficult.

A few simple reminders can be an effective way of keeping people living with dementia oriented.

Here are some ideas and suggestions for helpful reminders to reduce stress for people living with dementia.

To make sure you and your team are best equipped to care for people living with dementia, it’s important you commit to education and training.

To enable people living with dementia to live as full and active lives as possible, it’s important they stay socially, physically, and mentally engaged.