30 Practical Tips for More Meaningful, Positive, and Comfortable Family Visits –
Visiting a family member or loved one with dementia requires patience, understanding, and adaptability. Below, we provide 30 practical tips to help you.
It’s not uncommon for family members to feel uncertain or even apprehensive about visiting, often unsure of what to say or how to engage with someone whose cognitive abilities have changed.
This uncertainty can lead to fewer visits, which in turn increases the isolation of the person with dementia—a situation that benefits no one.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Family visits can remain a source of joy, comfort, and connection, even in the face of dementia.
By taking the time to approach these visits with a bit of preparation and the right mindset, you can make each interaction more meaningful and uplifting for both you and your loved one.
Stay Connected with 30 Practical Tips
Our goal is to help families maintain those important connections and create positive, fulfilling experiences during visits, no matter the challenges that dementia may present.
These 30 practical tips are designed to guide you in making the most of your time together, helping you navigate common difficulties and transform your visits into opportunities for meaningful engagement and shared moments of happiness.
Whether you’re visiting a parent, grandparent, or any other loved one, these tips will empower you to approach each visit with confidence and compassion. They will help you foster a sense of connection, provide comfort, and ensure that your loved one feels valued and supported.
Feel free to print these tips and display them for family members, or include them in your next newsletter, so everyone can benefit from these simple yet powerful strategies for staying connected.
Here they are: 30 Practical Tips for Meaningful, Positive and Comfortable Family Visits
- Plan Ahead: Coordinate your visit with the facility staff to ensure your loved one is in a good mood and receptive to visitors. Choose a time when they are most alert and comfortable.
- Create a Familiar Environment: Bring items from home that have sentimental value, such as family photos, favorite music, or familiar objects. These items can help trigger positive memories and conversations.
- Be Present: Focus on the present moment during your visit. Remove distractions like phones to give your full attention to your loved one.
- Use Simple Language: Speak slowly and use simple, clear language. Avoid complex sentences or questions that might confuse them.
- Maintain Eye Contact: Keep friendly eye contact to help establish a connection. Non-verbal cues are often more effective than words.
Our new ‘Guide to Family Visits’ expands on each of the 30 practical tips.
- Stay Positive: Use a positive and calm tone of voice. Your loved one can sense your emotions, so maintaining a positive attitude can help create a relaxed atmosphere.
- Listen Actively: Encourage them to talk and share their thoughts. Listen actively and respond with empathy, even if the conversation is fragmented or repetitive.
- Engage in Activities: Bring simple, enjoyable activities like looking through old photo albums, doing puzzles, or listening to their favorite music.
- Follow Their Lead: Let your loved one guide the conversation and activities. If they show interest in a particular topic, go with it, even if it seems random.
- Be Patient: Dementia can cause communication difficulties and memory lapses. Give them time to respond and avoid correcting them if they make a mistake.
- Physical Touch: Offer gentle physical contact if appropriate, such as holding their hand or giving a hug. Physical touch can provide comfort and reassurance.
- Limit Choices: Offer limited choices to avoid overwhelming them. For example, ask if they would like tea or coffee rather than presenting a range of options.
- Use Visual Cues: Show objects or make gestures to help them understand what you’re saying. Visual cues can make communication easier.
- Appeal to the Senses: Use sensory experiences like aromatherapy, soft textures, or soothing music to create a calm and pleasant environment.
- Monitor Comfort: Pay attention to signs of discomfort or fatigue. If your loved one seems tired or agitated, it might be time to end the visit.
Our new ‘Guide to Family Visits’ expands on each of the 30 practical tips.
- Share Moments of Joy: Focus on sharing moments of joy, laughter, and connection. These emotional bonds can have a lasting positive impact.
- Capture Memories: Consider taking photos or recording snippets of your visit to remember later and share with other family members.
- Respect Their Pace: Keep in mind that your loved one’s energy and attention span may be limited. Shorter, more frequent visits may be more effective than long visits.
- Use Familiar Music: Play music that is meaningful or familiar to your loved one. Music can evoke memories and emotions, making the visit more enjoyable and engaging.
- Bring Comforting Smells: Scents like lavender, vanilla, or fresh-baked cookies can create a soothing environment and may trigger positive memories.
- Incorporate Gentle Movement: If appropriate, consider doing some light stretching or a slow, simple walk. Gentle movement can be calming and helps maintain physical health.
- Bring a Pet (If Allowed): If your loved one enjoys animals and the facility allows it, consider bringing a pet to visit. Interaction with pets can be comforting and uplifting.
- Read Aloud: Read a favorite book, poem, or short story to your loved one. Even if they can’t follow the narrative, the sound of your voice can be soothing.
- Ask About Their Past: Engage them in conversations about their past. Ask open-ended questions about their childhood, career, or favorite memories, even if the answers are repetitive.
- Celebrate Small Victories: Praise and acknowledge even the smallest achievements during the visit, such as remembering a name or completing an activity. This can boost their confidence and mood.
Our new ‘Guide to Family Visits’ expands on each of the 30 practical tips.
- Involve Other Family Members: If possible, include other family members in the visit, either in person or through a video call. Seeing multiple familiar faces can bring comfort and joy.
- Practice Patience and Flexibility: Be prepared to change plans if your loved one is not in the mood for certain activities. Flexibility is key to ensuring a positive visit.
- Leave on a Positive Note: End the visit on a high note by expressing love and positivity. A warm goodbye can leave a lasting impression, even if the visit was short.
- Use Memory Triggers: Bring along items that might trigger specific memories, like a favorite old movie, a piece of jewelry, or a postcard from a favorite vacation spot.
- Give Reassurance: Regularly offer reassurance throughout the visit, reminding them that they are loved and cared for. This can help ease any anxiety or confusion they may feel.
These 30 practical tips* can help create a more meaningful, positive, and comfortable experience during visits with a loved one who has dementia.
Remember, every person with dementia is unique, and it may be necessary to adapt these tips based on your loved one’s preferences and needs. The key is to approach your visits with love, compassion, and flexibility.
*A more comprehensive Guide to Family Visits which expands on each of the 30 practical tips is available. Sign up for our newsletter to download your complimentary copy!
