February is a month that reminds us of the importance of love, connection, and companionship. For those supporting a loved one with dementia, finding ways to strengthen that bond doesn’t always require grand gestures—sometimes, it’s the little things that make all the difference.
Take a moment to picture this: You’re sitting beside your loved one, perhaps on the couch or at the dining table, sharing a quiet moment together. You want to start a conversation but hesitate, unsure of what to say. You’ve noticed that direct questions, like “Do you remember when we used to go for walks in the park?” sometimes bring confusion or frustration. Instead, you try something different.
“I remember when we used to walk in the park together,” you say with a warm smile. “Do you still enjoy being outside?”
Their eyes brighten, and after a pause, they respond, “Yes, I do.” Maybe they don’t recall the exact walks you’re referencing, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that they feel included in the conversation, free to engage without pressure.
This small shift—turning a question into an invitation—can make a world of difference. Conversations should be about connection, not recall. Sharing a memory of your own, rather than testing theirs, allows them to engage without the fear of “getting it wrong.”
