1. Always approach the person from the front – this allows the person with dementia to make use of all their sense

2. Position yourself at their eye level – by this gesture you indirectly show the person respect.

3. Wait until the person looks up before talking – this allows the person the time needed to tune into you and to be ready to receive information from you.

4. Lean towards the person when communicating – this builds trust and shows the person you are 100% there for the

5. Listen for the feelings and the needs behind the words – the person with dementia communicates at a deeper, symbolic and emotional level

6. Ask who? what? where? when? how? questions – these are all questions which help to validate the person’s experiences and thoughts

7. Never ask why? – this question is too abstract and will often make the person anxious, agitated, or maybe even angry

8. Avoid words such as: should, must, ought to, don’t and no – these words all belong to the language of the ‘parent’ talking down to the ‘child’ and will most likely create an angry, aggressive reaction

9. Never ask: do you remember? – it is amazing how much the person with dementia forgets when we ask: do you remember!

10. Repeat their key word if you don’t understand – simply repeat the key word with an upward, questioning inflection

11. Come with a sense of humour

12. Have realistic expectations

13. Tell him/her who you are. "Hello Dad, I'm Sue" rather than "Do you know who I am?"

14. If happy, laugh together. If sad, acknowledge the feeling and move on. If lost, orientate them to who and where they are. If playful, play with them. 

15. If sleepy, they are probably content. 

16. Develop an end of visit routine. 
    Say good-bye at the door, like they used to at home
    Ask staff to divert your loved on
    Leave at a meal time, morning or afternoon tea time