Quality of life is critical for everyone living with dementia. Daily attention to quality of life can improve clinical outcomes and wellbeing.
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.
Spirituality & Faith
Is spirituality or faith important to you?
Conversation Prompts:
Effects of faith on living with dementia
Source of strength
Transportation, access to services
Faith or spiritual community of support
CONSIDER: Ability to get to services or community events; Home visits; Televised or online services; Adapting practice for this moment; Identifying other practitioners in this community
What do you hope for at this moment?
Conversation Prompts:
Effects of dementia on hope
Effects of grief on hope
Changing what is hoped for as the disease changes
Finding hope with others in the family or community
CONSIDER: Start small; Seeing hope through others’ eyes; Increasing social connection (family, friends, support group, Alzheimer’s Helpline)
Meaning & Purpose
How is dementia affecting your sense of purpose?
Conversation Prompts:
Past sources of meaning and purpose, personally or professionally
Meaning from relationships
Pride in living well
Identifying role played in social situations
CONSIDER: Redefining meaning now; Redefining contributions at home; Identifying new (or old) jobs for the person with dementia; Using art, music, nature, and the senses to create meaningful experiences
Autonomy
Do you wish you were in charge of your routine, activities or body?
Conversation Prompts:
Offer the opportunity for:
Choice
Control or responsibility
Identify frustrations from lack of control or agency
Identify when the person with dementia is happiest
CONSIDER: Increasing choices; Increasing responsibility in daily tasks; Simplifying tasks into smaller steps; Respite and adult day programs, Exploring where safety worries challenge autonomy; New opportunities for autonomy, control and agency
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
Growth
How do you make sense of the challenges brought by dementia?
Conversation Prompts:
Learning or growing from past challenges in your life
Spiritual growth or shift
Learning new skills
Human developmental task(s) related to living with dementia or caring for someone with dementia
CONSIDER: Seeking out new things to learn or improve; Therapy; Self-help tools; Journaling; Creative expression
Joy & Pleasure
What do you enjoy doing now?
Conversation Prompts:
Activities, relationships that bring happiness or enjoyment
Activities, relationships that bring laughter
New ways of experiencing joy or pleasure as the disease progresses
CONSIDER: Starting with small joys; Listing 5 things that bring you pleasure or joy; Exploring how to increase these moments in your life; People; Sensory stimulation; Music; Nature; Physical activity and movement
Belonging
How is dementia affecting your feeling of belonging?
Conversation Prompts:
Past experiences of belonging
Roles and identities
Family traditions, customs, rituals
Barriers to belonging now
CONSIDER: Adaptations or supports that enhance a sense of belonging (e.g. hearing aids, plan on more time to do things); Day programs; Early onset dementia groups; Dementia advocacy programs (Dementia Action Alliance); Language and cultural supports that might enhance belonging
Behavioral Health
How is your mood?
Conversation Prompts:
Moods of others
Activities, relationships that help when you are feeling down
Worries about anyone’s moods
Challenges of managing emotions
Coping with difficult emotions
CONSIDER: Faith or spiritual practices; Medications; Counseling; Exercise; Time with loved ones; Hobbies; Dementia education and coaching; Dementia support groups
Identity
How are different aspects of your identity affecting your experience with dementia?
Conversation Prompts:
Race, ethnicity, culture
Language
Gender
Personal information to share to help others’ provide better care and support
CONSIDER: Exploring how these parts of identity can be a source of support, community, or hope; Language supports; Cultural navigators; Culturally relevant support groups; Dementia communities; www.portraitsofdementia.com
Dignity of Risk
How do you balance safety and quality of life?
Conversation Prompts:
Worries or dangers associated with activities that improve quality of life
Minimizing risks while preserving quality of life
What is acceptable risk
Family conflict about quality of life and safety
Alternative ways to support quality of life
CONSIDER: Increasing autonomy, meaning, joy, pleasure to balance limits required to reduce risk; Clarifying what risks are too much for all Involved; Family meeting