Dementia Support Hub

Supporting Your
Family Through
Dementia

Practical memory strategies, gentle brain games, and emotional support for families caring for a loved one with dementia. You are not alone.

Memory Strategies

Adapted Brain Games

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AI Support

Memory Strategies Brain Games

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You are not alone

900,000+ people in the UK live with dementia

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Cognitive stimulation helps

Regular activity can maintain abilities for longer

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Every moment matters

Connection and dignity are at the heart of good care

💜You are doing an incredible job

🧠Evidence-based memory strategies

🎮Gentle, adapted brain games

🤝Carer wellbeing support

Practical Guidance

Memory Strategies That Help

These evidence-informed approaches can help your loved one feel more secure, connected, and engaged - at every stage of their journey.

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Life Story Books

Create a personalised photo album with names, dates, and stories. Looking through familiar faces and places can spark recognition and bring comfort.

Use large, clear photographs

Label each photo with names and dates

Include favourite places and holidays

Add short captions in familiar handwriting

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Daily Routine Anchors

Consistent routines reduce anxiety and confusion. Familiar patterns give the brain predictable cues that support orientation and reduce distress.

Keep mealtimes, bedtimes, and activities at the same time each day

Use a large-print daily planner on the wall

Place visual cues (clocks, calendars) in prominent spots

Introduce changes gradually and gently

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Music and Reminiscence

Music from a person's youth is stored in a different part of the brain and is often preserved longer. Songs can unlock memories and lift mood significantly.

Create a playlist of songs from their teens and twenties

Sing along together - it does not matter if it is in tune

Use familiar radio stations or TV programmes

Try humming or clapping along to familiar rhythms

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Sensory Stimulation

Touch, smell, and taste can trigger powerful memories. Familiar scents like lavender, baking bread, or a favourite perfume can calm and orient.

Use familiar scents such as flowers, baking, or cologne

Offer familiar textures like knitting, gardening, or soft fabrics

Prepare favourite foods and involve them in simple cooking tasks

Gentle hand massage with familiar lotion can be very calming

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Meaningful Activities

Purposeful activities that connect to a person's past interests and identity help maintain dignity and a sense of self.

Adapt former hobbies - simpler versions of gardening, cooking, or crafts

Sorting activities like buttons, cards, or coins can be satisfying

Folding towels or setting the table gives a sense of contribution

Looking at familiar objects from their past can spark conversation

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Communication Techniques

How you communicate matters as much as what you say. Simple adjustments reduce frustration and help your loved one feel heard and respected.

Use short, simple sentences and speak slowly

Ask one question at a time - yes or no questions are easier

Never correct or argue - enter their reality gently

Use their name, make eye contact, and smile

Together

is the best medicine

The Power of Connection

Shared Activities Strengthen the Bond

Research consistently shows that social engagement and meaningful activity are among the most powerful tools available to families supporting someone with dementia.

It is not about getting things right or completing tasks. It is about being present, sharing a moment, and helping your loved one feel valued and loved.

Gentle questions about the past - old songs, famous faces from their era, or historical events they lived through.

How to play:

Ask about their past: 'What was your favourite song when you were young?' Use photos or objects as prompts. Listen more than you quiz.

Adaptations:

Use photos of people and places they knew

Focus on feelings rather than facts

Turn it into storytelling, not a test

Want more cognitive training games? Our full Brain Games section has 7 clinically-informed exercises.

Explore All Brain Games

For Carers

Your Wellbeing Matters Too

Caring for someone with dementia is one of the most demanding and emotionally complex roles a person can take on. Here is how we can support you.

Look After Yourself Too

Carer burnout is real. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Taking breaks, asking for help, and processing your own emotions is not selfish - it is essential.

Build a Support Network

Connect with other families in similar situations. Dementia UK, Alzheimer's Society, and local carer groups offer invaluable peer support and practical advice.

Talk to Someone

The emotional weight of caring for someone with dementia is significant. Our AI Chat and guided programmes can help you process grief, frustration, and love.