Top Tips for Challenging Ageism in Dementia Care

Why This Matters

Ageism and dementia stigma can combine to reduce expectations twice over. A person may be treated as incapable because they are older, because they have dementia, or because others assume that both automatically remove choice, intelligence and contribution. These assumptions can affect the opportunities, support and respect a person receives.

Introduction

Ageing and dementia are not the same thing, and dementia does not affect everyone in the same way. A diagnosis may change how someone manages particular tasks, but it does not erase their personality, experience, preferences or rights. Challenging ageism means noticing not only openly discriminatory behaviour, but also the everyday words, routines and low expectations that quietly take control away.

Real-Life Example

A man living with dementia had previously organised community events for many years. Staff automatically excluded him from helping with an upcoming celebration because they thought it might be “too much”. When someone asked what role he would enjoy, he chose to welcome guests and advise on the running order. With a written prompt and a colleague nearby, he made a valued contribution.

Mike’s Reflection

I have often seen people surprised by what someone living with dementia can still do when the right support is available. The barrier is not always the dementia. Sometimes it is the expectation that the person should step back, be protected from every challenge or simply receive what others have planned. Respect grows when we ask what is possible and what support would help.

This Week’s Top Tips

Notice ageist and dementia-related assumptions

• Listen for phrases such as “at their age”, “they will not understand” or “there is no point asking”.
• Separate what you know about the individual from what you assume about age or diagnosis.
• Challenge jokes, labels and language that make adults sound childlike, helpless or all the same.

Use adult-to-adult language and involve the person

• Speak to the person, not only to relatives or colleagues who are with them.
• Offer information in a way the person can use, then allow enough time for a response.
• Ask about choices, goals and opinions even when support may be needed to express them.

Recognise strengths and contribution

• Look for abilities, knowledge, relationships and roles that remain important.
• Offer meaningful ways to contribute rather than creating token tasks.
• Adjust the support, environment or pace before deciding that something is no longer possible.

A Gentle Reminder

Challenging ageism does not mean ignoring changes, distress or risk. It means responding to the person’s actual situation rather than allowing age or diagnosis to make the decision for us.

October Dementia Care Challenge

Notice one assumption made about an older person or someone living with dementia this week. Replace it with a curious question: “What matters to this person, and what support might make participation possible?”

Over to You

Where might low expectations be limiting someone’s voice, choice or opportunity to contribute?

Remember: Small Moments can make a Big Difference.

Evidence and development notes

• Age UK defines ageism as discrimination or unfair treatment based on age and notes its effect on confidence and quality of life.
• Dementia UK identifies common stereotypes, including assumptions that people with dementia cannot decide, work or live independently.
• Equality Act guidance confirms legal protection against age discrimination in services and public functions.