How much your loved one remembers often depends on the stage of dementia. Early on in the disease, they might forget people occasionally. Their recall of family members may decrease as time goes on. These strategies could help remind them.
Create a book or poster that includes photos of their family members. Write each person's name below their photo. You might also write other details, such as their relationship to the person with dementia. When you talk about people, point them out on the guide to help your loved one recall their appearance.
Another option is to create a memory book that includes more artifacts beyond simple pictures. If you have lots of objects, you might create a memory box instead of a book. These options allow your loved one to see and feel special items that are linked to their family members. You might include photos from vacations and family celebrations along with the names of the people. Adding captions to describe the memory can also help them hold on to the details.
Encourage your loved one to keep a journal when they're in the early stages of dementia. They might detail a visit they had with a family member to help capture the details of the day. The journal is a good place for your loved one to document information that's important to them about the person. Reading through the journal helps them reminisce about the people who are closest to them.
Having meaningful daily routines can support your loved one's cognitive functioning. It gives them a sense of structure and makes the day seem familiar. You can help them remember family members by incorporating them into the routines. For example, you might have their children come over each night for dinner. If your parent who has dementia lives with you, reading together with your children before bedtime helps them remember their grandkids.
Your loved one's senses can be powerful in helping them remember. For example, music stimulates the brain and could spark memories. Smells also help people recall details. When it comes to remembering people, this could mean smelling a perfume that helps them remember who their spouse is. Hearing a song that's associated with a particular family member might help. You could also give them an article of clothing that has a distinct texture and reminds them of a loved one. Even a particular type of candy they always shared with a certain family member could spark a memory.
As dementia progresses, it often becomes more challenging for your loved one to remember people. The way you respond in those situations is important for your loved one. Here are some tips on what to do.
It's easy to feel offense, sadness or other emotions if your loved one forgets the people who are closest to them. Dementia is a difficult disease for both the person who experiences it and those around them. However, it's best for your loved one if you can hide those feelings and maintain a positive tone. This approach helps them stay calm.
If you get the sense that your loved one doesn't recognize a family member, try offering subtle reminders. For example, you might say, "Oh, look! Your niece is here to visit! It's so nice to see you, Camille!" Hearing the name and the relationship to them could help your loved one make the connection. Even if they don't remember the person, they may feel a little more comfortable hearing the person's name. It can make the family member seem less like a stranger.
Showing compassion toward a loved one with dementia helps create a calm, reassuring environment. Pressuring them to remember can create a tense situation that leaves your loved one feeling distressed or agitated. They might also put pressure on themselves if they can't remember someone. Reassure them that it's okay they don't remember. You might change the subject and talk about something more positive to help defuse the situation if they become upset.
An important part of conversing with someone who has dementia is being patient and giving them time to remember. Sometimes, your loved one might just need a little time to recognize the person in front of them. Once the person starts talking, they might say something that sparks recognition. A sensory cue could also help. For example, when the person's son walks in the room, they might not recognize them by appearance, but smelling their cologne when they get close could spark their memory.
