Dementia shows up in every part of our daily lives. Living well with dementia requires adapting routines and daily life to your new normal.
Click on one of the following subtopics you would like to explore further. Scroll down to find additional conversation prompts.
Click on the subtopics below to find additional conversation prompts.
How is dementia affecting your ability to get where you want to go?
Conversation Prompts:
Current modes of transportation
Driving ability and safety
Community options
Getting to medical appointments, activities, communities
Changing transportation needs over time
CONSIDER: Public transportation; Walking; Biking; Volunteer rides; Carpooling; Driving Assessment; Exploring other ways to provide someone with a sense of control or autonomy in their daily routine
What concerns do you have about housing?
Conversation Prompts:
Housing stability
Safety and accessibility
Who lives in the home currently
Household chores and upkeep
Future housing worries
Future options and plans
CONSIDER: Occupational or physical therapy home safety evaluation; Home care services; Local funding for accessibility repairs (ASAPs or Council on Aging); Others in your family or community who could help with household management
How has dementia impacted your daily routine?
Conversation Prompts:
Schedule
Tasks
Roles and responsibilities
Sense of comfort
Meals, sleep, exercise
CONSIDER: Self care; Who can help; Building routine and structure to help ground the person with dementia; Explore balancing the needs of the person with dementia and the primary care partner
What is personal care?
Conversation Prompts:
Trouble getting dressed or
washing up
Trouble walking or moving around the home
Trouble with toileting
Trouble getting in and out of bed
CONSIDER: Home care/personal care aides; Care partner training; State options for paying the care partner for care work; Educational videos by Teepa Snow; Discussing risks and worries; Emphasizing autonomy for the person with dementia to do as much for themselves as possible
What concerns do you have about food at this time?
Conversation Prompts:
Food insecurity
Food prep ability
Cooking safety
Food shopping
CONSIDER: Assisted cooking; Safety-proofing; Meals on Wheels; Other food delivery options, Community resources; Farmers’ markets; Shared meals; Explore how the person with dementia can help with food prep
How is dementia affecting your usual hobbies or activities?
Conversation Prompts:
Past work or jobs
Past social roles
Personal interests and strengths
Adapting prior hobbies/activities
Recreation
CONSIDER: Adapting activities to current abilities; Music; Dance; Arts; Nature; Walking and other movement; Identifying others to participate together; New sources of roles and jobs; Adult day programs; Senior centers; Programs for people with disabilities
How is dementia affecting communication?
Conversation Prompts:
Misunderstandings and frustration
“Behaviors” or neuropsychiatric symptoms
Lack of insight (anosognosia)
CONSIDER: Care partner education; Dementia coaching; Allowing more time; Short simple phrases; Low stimulation environments; Non-verbal communication; Communicating with a person within their lived experience; Addressing emotions rather than facts