Whether it’s a parent, partner, longtime friend, or patient, our ability to show love and kindness in everyday interactions with those living with dementia is crucial. Regardless of the stage of their dementia, everyone is capable of giving and receiving love in their own unique way. It’s important to remember that the way love is expressed may change, but the core of it remains the same. Communicating how you feel might become more challenging, but small acts of affection can still convey a deep sense of connection and understanding.
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou
Every day holds the possibility for a meaningful opportunity to celebrate love and a chance to create new moments of connection that honor the relationship, no matter the person’s cognitive ability. As the famous poet Maya Angelou wrote, while someone may not be able to express or remember what you’ve done for them, they can still feel the love you have for them.
Here are some of the different ways to express love to those living with dementia. These may vary depending on their dementia progression:
SOURCES
Love Languages for Those with Dementia (And for the Rest of Us, Too)
