Dementia is hard. You are not alone. There are many ways to get more information and support.
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 do I coordinate all the pieces?
Conversation Prompts:
Communicating with:
Family and networks
Healthcare professionals
Community organizations
Medications, schedules, abilities, goals, and wishes
Identifying who to ask for what
Centering the person with dementia
Planning transitions
CONSIDER: Care notebooks; Shared google docs; Care coordinators or navigators (covered by insurance; available through PCP, specialists, Alzheimer’s Association, Area Agencies on Aging); Patient Priorities Care
Can technology or adaptive equipment help?
Conversation Prompts:
Home safety
Getting lost
Social isolation
Tools for daily activities
CONSIDER: Home safety and occupational therapy evaluation; Adaptive tools to help with eating, sleeping, dressing, bathing; Reviewing risks and benefits of new technology
How to support your primary care partner?
Conversation Prompts:
Staying connected with the person with dementia
Building competence and confidence in dementia caregiving
Focus on and value of care partner quality of life
Humor, improvisation
Spiritual practice or faith
Social connections
CONSIDER: Finding pleasure in small moments; Taking time for self; Finding meaning or pleasure in caregiving; Asking for help or support
Who can help support your needs?
Conversation Prompts:
Building a team
Asking for help
Identifying who to ask for help
Help with personal care
CONSIDER: Identifying specific tasks for others to help with (ex. driving, shopping, pet visits, check-in calls, 30 minutes of reading together); Identifying improvements to quality of life; Use of emergency services
What other resources are out there?
Conversation Prompts:
What have you tried already?
What worked?
What’s missing?
CONSIDER: Caregiver support groups; Memory cafes; Alzheimer’s Association; Dementia Action Alliance; Councils on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging; Dementia Coaches; Village or Neighbor Networks; Personal care or Home care aides; Adult day programs; Possible role of hospitalization to manage symptoms of dementia; Psychiatric or neurology specialists
What is dementia coaching?
Conversation Prompts:
Building care partner confidence and skills
Communication skills
Managing emotions
Understanding “behaviors” as responses
CONSIDER: Dementia classes; Alzheimer’s Association; Youtube videos; Teepa Snow for neuropsychiatric symptoms and communication; Community-based organizations; Area Agencies on Aging
What is respite?
Conversation Prompts:
Creating time for the care partner
Offering new activities
Offering new relationships and roles
Cognitive stimulation
Preparing for travel
CONSIDER: Formal and informal respite; Planning activities for the person with dementia and other friends or family; Adult day health or social day programs; Overnight in-home care; Short nursing home stays; Shared care with another care partner