Educational content only. This page is intended to inform, not replace, professional medical and social work guidance. Caregiving situations vary significantly — please work with a qualified healthcare team for individualized support.

Caregiver Physician-authored

How To HelpA Practical Guide for Dementia Caregivers

Caring for someone with mild to moderate dementia is one of the most demanding things a person can do — and one of the most important. This page covers what works, what to watch for at home, and — critically — how to protect yourself so you can keep showing up for the person you love.

Caring for the caregiver is inseparable from caring for the patient.

Caregiver burden is among the strongest predictors of nursing home placement — often more predictive than disease severity alone. When you burn out, the care falls apart. Everything on this page serves both the person you are caring for and you.

Part 1 — Caring for the Person With Dementia

What actually works — nonpharmacologic strategies

Nonpharmacologic interventions are considered first-line treatment for behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia. They are evidence-based, safe, and often preferable to medication — particularly given the risks of antipsychotics in this population. The overall goals are to reduce distress, maintain function, and preserve dignity.

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Music therapy & reminiscence

Music therapy has among the strongest evidence of the sensory interventions for reducing agitation and improving mood. Play music your loved one knew well in their teens, twenties, and thirties — musical memory from this period is often durably preserved. Reminiscence therapy uses personal early-life stories, photographs, and familiar objects to stimulate engagement and psychological wellbeing.

Practical tip: Create a playlist of 20–30 songs from your loved one’s youth. Use it during agitated periods, during personal care, or as a calming transition before bed.
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Cognitively stimulating activities

Reading aloud, simple puzzles, card games, sorting activities, and reminiscence conversations all help maintain engagement. The key principle: match the activity to where the person is now, not where they were. An activity that feels too hard causes frustration and distress. One that feels too easy creates boredom. Aim for the sweet spot of gentle challenge.

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