Visiting Someone with Dementia: 7 Practical Tips for Meaningful Visits
by Joy Birch, President, Highview Residences
Visiting someone who is living with dementia can feel uncertain.
Maybe it’s been a while.
You’re not sure what to expect.
You may even wonder if the visit will feel awkward—or if it’s better not to go at all.
These feelings are more common than you might think.
But staying connected matters.
For people living with dementia, social connection can bring comfort, familiarity, and moments of joy—even when words or memory are changing.
With a few simple shifts, visits can feel easier—and more meaningful for both of you.
1. Choose the Right Time of Day
Many people living with dementia feel more settled earlier in the day—often mid-morning to early afternoon.
Later in the day, some may experience increased restlessness or confusion.
If you’re unsure, check with family or the care team to find a time that feels best.
2. Let Go of the Need to Correct
Conversations may feel different than they once did.
If something is forgotten or repeated, try to avoid correcting or pointing it out.
Instead:
acknowledge what’s being said
respond with warmth
gently shift the conversation
Letting go of “getting it right” often makes the visit feel more relaxed for everyone.
3. Focus on Comfort, Not Accuracy
There may be moments when the truth feels upsetting or confusing.
In these situations, it’s okay to respond in a way that brings comfort.
For example, if someone asks about a person who has passed away, gently redirecting with a reassuring answer can help avoid unnecessary distress.
The goal is not to correct—it is to create a sense of ease.
4. Do Something Together
You don’t need to rely on conversation alone.
Simple shared activities can make visits feel more natural:
looking through photo albums
reading short stories
listening to music
having a meal together
Even small moments—like sharing a cup of tea—can create connection.
Just because someone may not recall details in order doesn’t mean they can’t experience the feeling of a shared memory.
5. Bring Children If You Can
Children can bring a natural ease to a visit.
Many people, even with memory changes, respond warmly to children—through play, conversation, or simply watching them.
It can open up moments of connection that feel light and familiar.
6. Support the Caregiver, Too
If you are visiting someone at home, your presence can also support the person caring for them.
Simple gestures can make a meaningful difference:
bringing a meal
picking up groceries
offering time for the caregiver to rest
You might also offer to take the person out for a short outing—a drive, a coffee, or a walk—depending on what feels comfortable.
7. Keep Coming Back
Not every visit will go as expected.
There may be days when the person seems unsettled, distracted, or not fully engaged.
Try not to take this personally.
Dementia can affect how someone expresses themselves from day to day.
What matters most is consistency.
Your presence—even in small ways—continues to matter.
A Thought to Hold
You may not always be remembered.
But the feeling of connection—of being seen, of being cared for—often remains.
We’re Here to Help
If you have questions about visiting, supporting, or staying connected with someone living with dementia, we are here.
At Highview, we see every day how meaningful these moments can be—for the person living with dementia, and for those who love them.
Our Homes in London, Kitchener, and Lucan are thoughtfully arranged to support connection, familiarity, and daily life in ways that feel calm and truly like home.
Highview offers thoughtfully designed homes where people living with dementia are cared for in ways that feel familiar, calm, and truly like home.
The goal is to create a place where people are supported to live with independence, connection, and purpose in daily life.
For dementia care in London, Kitchener, and Lucan, we are here to help.