Daily Life & Caregiving
At Dementia Life STL, we believe that even as dementia changes a person’s memory and abilities, it doesn’t change who they are at their core. That’s why person-centered care is at the heart of everything we do — and why we encourage families, care partners, and professionals to embrace it every day.
What Is Person-Centered Care?
Person-centered care means seeing the person first, not the dementia. It’s about honoring their unique history, preferences, values, and personality — not just managing symptoms or tasks. It shifts the focus from what needs to be done to what matters to this person right now.
In short: It’s not just about giving care. It’s about giving care with love, dignity, and respect for the whole person.
Why It Matters
For someone living with dementia, the world can become confusing, frustrating, and sometimes frightening. When we center care around who they are, we help them feel safe, seen, and valued—even if they can’t express it in words.
Person-centered care can:
- Reduce anxiety and agitation
- Improve communication and connection
- Enhance quality of life
- Restore dignity in moments that might otherwise feel vulnerable or disorienting
And for caregivers? It brings more meaning and less stress to daily routines, turning tasks into moments of connection.
How to Incorporate Person-Centered Care into Daily Life
You don’t need to overhaul everything. Person-centered care is made up of small, intentional choices. Here’s how to get started:
1. Build routines around their rhythms and preferences
Do they like coffee before breakfast? A walk after lunch? What was their daily routine prior to dementia? Try to stick to familiar patterns that bring comfort and reduce confusion.
2. Use their name often and talk to them like an adult
Even if your loved one struggles to respond, the tone and respect in your voice make a difference. Speak to them, not around them.
3. Incorporate what they love
Play their favorite music. Cook a childhood recipe. Watch an old movie they adored. These familiar joys can spark memories and calm the mind.
4. Surround them with meaningful objects
Photos, keepsakes, and even favorite scents (like lavender or fresh-baked cookies) can bring peace and connection to the present moment.
5. Adapt activities to what they can do
Person-centered care focuses on ability, not loss. If they can no longer write, can they help choose a card? Fold towels? Sort buttons by color? Look for ways to involve them with dignity.
Making It a Team Approach
You might be the heart of your loved one’s care—but you’re not the only one involved. Whether there’s a home aide, adult day center, family helpers, or a long term care community, here’s how to make sure person-centered care is shared across the team:
Create a “Who They Are” Snapshot
Write down a few key things:
- Preferred name
- Favorite foods, music, and pastimes
- Routines that are familiar and meaningful
- Triggers to avoid (like loud noises or crowded rooms)
- Calming strategies, phrases, and activities that work
Share this with anyone who interacts with your loved one. Post it on the fridge, keep a copy in their room, or include it in their care plan.
Hold regular check-ins
If others help with care, meet every so often (even briefly) to talk about what’s working, what isn’t, and how to keep the person at the center of the plan.
Be their voice when needed
If your loved one can’t speak up for themselves, you can. Advocate for care that honors who they are, not just what’s on the task list.
In the End…
Person-centered care isn’t a technique — it’s a mindset. It’s love in action. It’s the promise that you still matter, even when memories fade.
At Dementia Life STL, we see you. We’re walking with you. And we believe that every person living with dementia deserves to be known, respected, and cherished.
Let’s keep putting the person first — together.
💙
— The Dementia Life STL Team
