Things to try when someone with dementia stops recognising you Caring for someone with dementia - Dementia UK
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Things to try when someone with dementia stops recognising you Caring for someone with dementia
2 Dementia UK
Dementia and For some people with dementia,
recognition the gradual loss of recent
memories means the person may
As their dementia progresses,
still remember you, but expect to
some people with a diagnosis
see a younger person in front of
will stop recognising people
them.
they know, even close family
members. This can be upsetting In others, the part of the brain
for families as well as the person that is responsible for recognising
themselves. Attempts to remind faces can become damaged. This
the person who the people in front is referred to as ‘proposagnosia’.
of them are, can be confusing and If the person diagnosed with
frustrating for them. dementia is failing to recognise
you or others for the first time, or
But it’s still important to keep
seems distressed in your company,
these connections with the
it’s worth checking that there isn’t
person with dementia, and to
another reason for this, such as
include and involve them wherever
infection, medication changes,
possible. Familiarity and support
constipation etc.
from the people who know them
best, will help them feel safe and Some symptoms associated with
comfortable; and occasional dementia can be caused by other
moments of recognition can make health problems, so always visit
it all worthwhile. your GP if you’re unsure.
Difficulty with recognising familiar
people does not happen in all types
of dementia; it’s more common in
Alzheimer’s disease for instance,
and rarer in vascular dementia.
Things to try when someone with dementia stops recognising you 3
Methods for prompting There are cues you can use to help
a person’s memory? the person with dementia make the
connections between the past and
Some people with dementia appear
the present. The following tips may
to ‘travel back in time’, reliving
help to do this:
memories from when they were
younger. They might expect grown • Put up photos around the house
up children to be small again, or of important times you were
expect their parents to still be together, such as weddings,
alive, or even revert back in their birthdays, children’s parties
mind to previous marriages or
• Show the progression of time in
relationships.
4 Dementia UK
these photos, so that they show that the person would associate
a spouse or partner when young, with you; these could include
but also throughout time and a favourite item of clothing or
how they appear now styles from when you were both
younger
• Keep a photo album on display
with the photos clearly marked • Wear aftershave or perfume that
with people’s names, the year the person associates with you.
and the event, following the If they have a favourite perfume
progression from the past to the or aftershave, encourage its
present day use; often the sense of smell can
evoke positive memories when
• Wear clothes around the house
words cannotThings to try when someone with dementia stops recognising you 5
Finding other ways to • Playing some familiar music
reconnect • Watching a favourite film
It can be very difficult when
• Drawing pictures
someone with dementia stops
recognising you. But there are • Going for a walk and talking
things you can do to keep your about the things you see on the
connection with the person, and way
your relationship with them, warm
• Flower arranging
and open.
• Doing a jigsaw puzzle, if possible
If you can, try ‘entering into their
world’, and asking the person
diagnosed with dementia about
Methods for
the memories they mention.
communicating with
Encouraging them to talk about
someone with dementia
what feels familiar will help them • Keep yourself in the person’s
to feel at ease. Try not to remind eyeline, and try not to suddenly
the person with dementia of more appear from the side or from
recent realities that they’re having behind
trouble grasping, such as the death
• Speak clearly and in short
of their parents, as this can cause
sentences
distress and confusion. Instead talk
about happy memories and events • If the person is struggling
that are important to them. Taking to recognise you, introduce
part in activities together can be yourself and tell them about
a good way to reconnect with a the connection between you,
person with dementia. Anything for instance: “Hello mum, it’s
you both enjoy can help you feel Julie and I have little Danny, your
closer, such as: grandson with me.”
• Be reassuring; look the person in
the eye and smile
• If a person with dementia is6 Dementia UK
getting agitated, take yourself to say something that isn’t true;
another room for a few minutes this can lead to distress and
before coming back in, calmly, frustration on all sides. Try to
and saying something like: imagine how the person with
“Hello, I’m back now, how lovely dementia is feeling
to see you.”
Remember, not being recognised
• Try not to correct the person doesn’t mean you’re totally
if they get your name wrong or forgotten.Things to try when someone with dementia stops recognising you 7
Sources of support
Dementia UK resource on Creating a life story
www.dementiauk.org/life-story
Dementia UK leaflet on Changes in perception and hallucinations
www.dementiauk.org/changes-in-perception
Dementia UK leaflet on False beliefs and delusions
www.dementiauk.org/false-beliefs
Dementia UK leaflet on Tips for better communication
www.dementiauk.org/better-communication
Dementia UK leaflet on Looking after yourself when you care for
someone with dementia
www.dementiauk.org/looking-after-yourself-when-you-care-for-
someone
Dementia UK leaflet on Music therapy
www.dementiauk.org/music
Our Admiral Nurses can help
If you have any questions or concerns about dementia,
you can call the dementia specialist Admiral Nurses on our
Helpline for free.
Call 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org
Opening hours:
Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm
Saturday-Sunday, 9am-5pmThe information in this We receive no government
booklet is written and funding and rely on voluntary
reviewed by dementia donations, including gifts
specialist Admiral Nurses. in Wills.
We are always looking For more information
to improve our resources, on how to support
to provide the most relevant Dementia UK, please visit
support for families living www.dementiauk.org/donate
with dementia. If you have or call 0300 365 5500.
feedback about any of our Publication date: Dec 2020
leaflets, please email Review date: Dec 2022
feedback@dementiauk.org © Dementia UK 2020
If you’re caring for someone with dementia or if you have
any other concerns or questions, call or email our
Admiral Nurses for specialist support and advice.
Call 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org
Open Monday – Friday, 9am – 9pm
Saturday and Sunday, 9am – 5pm
www.dementiauk.org • info@dementiauk.org
Dementia UK, 7th Floor, One Aldgate, London EC3N 1RE
Dementia UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1039404) and Scotland (SCO47429).
DUKFS13You can also read
