“How was your day, Mom?” “What did you have for lunch, Uncle Jim?” When a loved one with a dementia

diagnosis resides in a nursing home or an assisted living community, caregivers often struggle during

their visits. Well-meaning caregivers typically attempt to have a regular conversation with their older loved

one, forgetting that this person no longer can reason or control impulses, and often will not even remember

who the visitor is. This person with dementia also often misunderstands questions or is unable to articulate answers that make sense to the caregiver. Boredom and frustration result for both the caregiver and the

person with dementia.

It’s essential for caregivers to embrace new ways of socializing during a nursing home or assisted living

visit. Some television is fine, particularly if it is a show or movie that is in the patient’s long-term memory

(think Gone with the Wind or Lawrence of Arabia for someone in their eighties or nineties). But to truly

connect and engage the person with dementia, caregivers should embrace activity instead of conversation.

Many persons with advanced dementia, whether male or female, tend to most appreciate interaction and

visits with others that are what I would call “dude-like.” While certainly not true of all boys and men, the vast

majority of males in our society do not necessarily need to talk to each other to enjoy each other’s company. A woman often doesn’t get it when her husband goes to a baseball game with a buddy, and they never talk

about that buddy’s impending divorce. The two men simply enjoy watching the baseball game together, and

that is the way her husband is there for his buddy. Extensive conversation is not always necessary, nor is it

always welcome. When trying to connect with your older loved one who has dementia, try to think of two

dudes hanging out—no matter the gender of either party.

Often you are going to have the most satisfying experience with loved ones who have dementia when you

do an activity with them rather than initiate a discussion. While persons with dementia may not be able to

speak, they still might be able to sing. Music penetrates long-term memory, and many persons with dementia

can sing along, tap their feet, or even dance to an old favorite tune. (Think the Temptations’ “My Girl” or The

Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always get What You Want” for patients in their sixties or seventies.)

Try some art activities. If your older loved one knitted before she was diagnosed, maybe she still can. She also

may be able to paint, draw or garden. If your older loved one enjoys animals, bring your dog to her nursing

home or assisted living and let her pet Rover. Go out for a walk and look at the fall foliage or enjoy the beautiful sunset together. Give Mom a manicure, massage her back or just hold her hand. Listen to talk radio. This can

be a super activity for those older than 70 as listening to radio shows will be familiar in the long-term memory. Sometimes just sitting together without the pressure of having to come up with questions or discussion topics

can be very relaxing for you both. It takes some getting used to, but eventually, you will be more comfortable

with silence.

Obviously there will be trial and error to see which activities your loved one responds to most favorably. But typically an activity or spending quiet time together is going to be more satisfying for both of you than asking

her how her day was.