For support workers providing care in someone’s home, it’s often the small things that can make a meaningful difference when supporting a person living with dementia.
At Care On Call, our support workers help people with everyday activities, personal care and maintaining their independence. Every person living with dementia is different, but there are some simple principles that can help make in-home support more comfortable and person-centred.
Keep things familiar
Familiar routines and surroundings can provide a sense of comfort and security for people living with dementia.
Keeping everyday activities such as meals, personal care and bedtime around the same time each day can make things feel more predictable. Familiar objects, photographs, music and activities can also provide reassurance and opportunities for connection.
Taking the time to understand someone's usual routines, interests and preferences can make a real difference. Even knowing how someone likes their morning cup of tea or what they usually do after breakfast can help create a sense of familiarity.
Support independence and dignity
Needing help with everyday tasks can be difficult for anyone. When supporting someone with bathing, dressing, eating or household tasks, give them the opportunity to do as much as they can for themselves.
Take things at their own pace, explain what you're doing and offer choices wherever possible. Supporting independence doesn't always mean doing less; sometimes it means taking a little more time to help someone do something for themselves.
Communicate with patience
Dementia can affect a person's ability to find words, understand information or communicate how they are feeling. Speaking calmly, listening and allowing plenty of time to respond can make communication easier.
Use clear and simple language, minimise distractions and try asking one question at a time. If words aren't working, familiar objects, photographs, gestures or an activity can provide another way to connect.
If someone doesn't remember who you are, gently remind them rather than testing their memory. Patience and reassurance can help someone feel safe, respected and understood.
Encourage meaningful activity
Meaningful activity doesn't have to be complicated. It can be part of the ordinary things someone does at home, such as preparing a meal, folding laundry, gardening, listening to music, looking through photographs or going for a walk.
Consider the person's interests, abilities and preferences, and support them to participate in ways that feel appropriate. Sometimes, simply joining in or helping someone get started can encourage them to take part.
Help maintain a safe home environment
Being at home can provide familiarity and independence, but changes associated with dementia can sometimes make everyday environments more challenging.
Support workers can help by being aware of potential hazards and following the person's care and safety plan. Keeping walkways clear, ensuring areas are well lit and making everyday items easy to access can all help someone move around their home safely.
It's also important to notice changes in someone's mobility, behaviour, communication or general wellbeing, and share any concerns with the wider care team or family in line with their support plan.
Support healthy routines
Eating well and staying active are important parts of everyday wellbeing. Familiar routines can help make these things easier for someone living with dementia.
Encourage regular meals, give the person enough time to eat and offer simple choices so they can remain involved in decisions about their food. Staying active could be as simple as going for a walk, spending time in the garden or helping with household tasks.
The important thing is finding activities that are enjoyable and appropriate for the individual.
See the person, not just the diagnosis
Above all, supporting someone living with dementia starts with seeing the person, not just the diagnosis.
Every person has their own history, personality, preferences, relationships, abilities and routines. Taking the time to understand what matters to someone can help support workers provide care that feels respectful, familiar and genuinely person-centred.
At Care On Call, we're proud to support people in their own homes, helping them maintain their independence and stay connected to the people, routines and communities that matter to them.
This World Alzheimer's Day, we're recognising the support workers, whānau and care teams who help people living with dementia feel safe and supported every day.
Further dementia care resources
Care On Call is proud to support the New Zealand Dementia Foundation, which provides information, resources and guidance to support best practice in dementia and Alzheimer's care.
For more information and resources, visit the New Zealand Dementia Foundation: https://www.nzdementia.org/
