Top Tips for Responding to Stress in People with Dementia
How we respond can reduce distress… or unintentionally add to it.
April is Stress Awareness Month and each Top Tips Tuesday we’ve been focussing on stress in people with dementia.
In this final week, here are 20 Top Tips for supportive responses:
- Begin with validation – meet and name the feeling, not the behaviour.
- Use a calm tone — slow, soft, warm.
- Reduce stimulation — lower noise, move to a quieter space.
- Offer reassurance, not correction.
- Match your communication to the person’s emotional state.
- Offer choices, but not too many.
- Use touch only where welcome.
- Create predictable routines.
- Simplify environments — clear, uncluttered, accessible with clear signage for wayfinding.
- Consider pain relief or health checks if behaviour is new.
- Provide meaningful activity tailored to interest and stage of dementia (e.g. use the PAL Pool Activity Level for guidance).
- Allow time — rushing increases stress.
- Use distraction and redirection respectfully.
- Try music, rhythm, or soothing sensory tools.
- Bring in familiar items to anchor safety.
- Ensure hydration, regular visits to the toilet and comfort.
- Give the person space if needed.
- Work as a T.E.A.M. — Together Everyone Achieves More – share insights and patterns.
- Avoid confrontation — step back, say sorry and de‑escalate.
- Reflect afterwards: “What helped? What might we try next time?”
The above Top Tips are taken from my course Dementia: Behaviour – A Challenge of a Gift and its accompanying E-book.
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