Frequently Asked Questions
A dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis often brings uncertainty, difficult decisions, and many questions for both individuals and their families. This FAQ page provides clear, practical answers to common concerns about memory loss, caregiving, future planning, treatment options, and navigating the challenges that can come with cognitive decline.
The questions featured here were thoughtfully selected from meaningful conversations and key takeaways shared on the Hey Woman Podcast, turning valuable insights and real-life experiences into a resource families can revisit whenever they need guidance and support.
What is person-centered dementia care?
Person-centered dementia care focuses on the individual's normal life, routines, choices, and relationships rather than only the diagnosis. Care should be built around the person's preferences, history, and values. - Episode 16 | The Future of Cognitive Care
Why does person-first language matter in dementia care?
Person-first language reminds caregivers that the individual is more than the diagnosis. Referring to someone as a "person with dementia" helps keep the focus on the individual rather than the disease. - Episode 6 | The Hogeweyk Village
What is a dementia village?
A dementia village is a care community designed to feel like a normal neighborhood while providing support for people with dementia. Residents can participate in daily routines, social activities, and community life in a safe environment. - Episode 22 | Reimagining Life with Dementia
What does "without risk, there is no life" mean?
It means that eliminating every possible risk can also eliminate independence, dignity, movement, and meaningful living. Quality of life requires balancing safety with opportunities to continue living fully. - Episode 6 | The Hogeweyk Village
Why are real activities important?
Real activities preserve purpose, choice, and identity. Shopping, cooking, socializing, and participating in everyday activities help individuals remain connected to who they are. - Episode 6 | The Hogeweyk Village
What is the biggest mistake caregivers make in dementia care?
Overprotection. Removing all independence and freedom in the name of safety can lead to frustration, inactivity, and emotional decline. Care requires balance between safety and quality of life. - Episode 22 | Reimagining Life with Dementia
Why is routine important in dementia care?
Routine provides stability, comfort, and predictability. Personalized routines that reflect a person's lifelong habits can reduce stress and support emotional well-being. - Episode 22 | Reimagining Life with Dementia
How can I improve quality of life for someone with dementia?
Focus on maintaining independence, routine, meaningful activities, and personal choice. Even small opportunities to participate in daily life can provide comfort and purpose. - Episode 22 | Reimagining Life with Dementia
Should someone with dementia be allowed independence?
Yes. Many people with dementia can still participate safely in daily activities. Allowing appropriate independence supports dignity, confidence, and well-being. - Episode 22 | Reimagining Life with Dementia
Is it okay to let someone with dementia take risks?
Yes, when risks are thoughtfully managed. Completely eliminating risk can reduce quality of life. The goal is to balance safety with meaningful living. - Episode 22 | Reimagining Life with Dementia
How should caregivers think about falls?
Falls should be taken seriously, but not every fall means someone should lose all independence. Maintaining mobility and strength is also important. - Episode 6 | The Hogeweyk Village
Can overprotection increase risk?
Yes. Limiting movement and activity can lead to weakness, loss of mobility, and increased fall risk over time. - Episode 6 | The Hogeweyk Village
What activities are good for people with dementia?
Familiar and meaningful activities such as cooking, gardening, walking, music, card games, and household tasks are often beneficial. - Episode 22 | Reimagining Life with Dementia
Can someone with dementia still cook or help with meals?
Many people can continue participating in meal preparation. Tasks may need to be modified, but involvement can provide purpose and maintain important life skills. - Episode 22 | Reimagining Life with Dementia
What activities can I do when visiting a loved one with dementia?
Walking, listening to music, watching favorite shows, looking through photos, playing simple games, or helping with light household tasks can all create meaningful engagement. - Episode 25 | Making the Most of Caregiving Visits
Why do personal preferences matter in caregiving?
Personal preferences matter because favorite foods, clothing, music, routines, and meaningful traditions continue to shape comfort, dignity, and quality of life as care needs change. - Episode 33 | How to Build a Caregiving Team Before a Crisis Forces Hard Decisions
How can caregivers document a loved one's preferences?
Caregivers can document preferences by writing down meaningful details such as favorite foods, clothing choices, music, routines, spiritual preferences, traditions, and comfort items before a crisis occurs. - Episode 33 | How to Build a Caregiving Team Before a Crisis Forces Hard Decisions
Download our caregiver toolkit to keep everything altogether, in one place: Download the Caregiver Toolkit
Why do people with dementia become agitated?
Agitation is often caused by environmental stress, frustration, discomfort, loss of control, confusion, or unmet needs rather than the disease itself. - Episode 22 | Reimagining Life with Dementia
Why might a loved one become aggressive?
Aggression can be a form of communication. It may signal pain, infection, hunger, discomfort, fear, confusion, frustration, or an environmental trigger. - Episode 7 | Hogeweyk Part 2
How does environment affect dementia behavior?
Environment plays a major role. Familiar, engaging, and comfortable environments often reduce stress, while restrictive or overstimulating environments may increase agitation. - Episode 22 | Reimagining Life with Dementia
Can activity reduce the need for sleep medication?
Meaningful daytime activity may improve sleep patterns for some individuals and reduce the need for medication-based sleep interventions. - Episode 7 | Hogeweyk Part 2
Should caregivers decorate for holidays?
It depends on the person. Familiar traditions may provide comfort and joy for one individual while creating confusion or distress for another. - Episode 7 | Hogeweyk Part 2
What are alternatives to medication in dementia care?
Walking, music, outdoor time, weighted blankets, sensory items, familiar routines, meaningful activities, and environmental changes may help address behaviors without relying solely on medication. - Episode 7 | Hogeweyk Part 2
How do I start an end-of-life conversation?
Begin by asking what quality of life and good living mean to your loved one. These conversations are often more effective when started early and revisited over time. - Episode 20 | Seeing Beyond the Diagnosis
Why should end-of-life conversations happen early?
Early conversations allow families to understand wishes and make informed decisions before a crisis occurs. - Episode 20 | Seeing Beyond the Diagnosis
What is a POLST or MOLST form?
A POLST or MOLST is a medical order completed with a healthcare professional that documents preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments and emergency medical interventions. - Episode 20 | Seeing Beyond the Diagnosis
Why are conversations just as important as legal documents?
Legal documents identify decision-makers, but conversations explain the person's values, preferences, and goals. Both are needed for effective planning. - Episode 20 | Seeing Beyond the Diagnosis
Why should dementia caregivers review medications regularly?
Regular medication reviews help ensure treatments continue to align with current goals, symptoms, quality of life, and overall care needs. - Episode 22 | Reimagining Life with Dementia
How do nursing homes handle residents with dementia?
Quality facilities use structured routines, familiar environments, trained staff, memory care programs, and individualized approaches to support residents with dementia. - Episode 31 | How to Choose a Nursing Home
What is the future of dementia care?
The future of dementia care focuses on balancing safety with dignity, independence, person-centered care, community inclusion, and quality of life. - Episode 16 | The Future of Cognitive Care
Why does person-centered innovation matter?
Families often make better decisions when care focuses on the person's preferences, goals, routines, and relationships rather than just the diagnosis. - Episode 16 | The Future of Cognitive Care
Can AI help dementia care?
AI can support safety, monitoring, communication, reminders, and personalization, but it should never replace meaningful human connection. - Episode 16 | The Future of Cognitive Care
What technology helps seniors with dementia?
GPS devices, simplified tablets, voice reminders, medication dispensers, monitoring systems, and communication tools can improve safety and independence when used appropriately. - Episode 26 | How Elder Care Has Evolved
How can technology support caregivers?
Technology can help with medication reminders, location tracking, health monitoring, communication, scheduling, and reducing caregiving burden while supporting quality of life. - Episode 26 | How Elder Care Has Evolved
Should technology replace human interaction?
No. Technology works best as a support tool. Relationships, conversation, routine, and human connection remain essential parts of dementia care. - Episode 26 | How Elder Care Has Evolved