A person with dementia should be encouraged to be as independent as possible for as long as possible. If the person is in the early or mid-stages of the condition, they will still want to accomplish tasks and feel valuable. Here’s why you should encourage the person to be active and keep busy.
We often talk about the importance of staying active – getting out for a walk, seeing people, having a chat, eating well, and keeping the body moving. These may seem like small things, but they play a huge role in physical health and emotional wellbeing.
Sometimes people think, “What’s the point?” especially if mobility has become limited. For example, if a person can’t walk very far, and can only manage a slow walk around the block, they may not think it’s worth it. But even a five-minute walk around the block, or in the garden has benefits. It gets the heart pumping, muscles working, and gives the person a sense of purpose. Five minutes of movement is better than none.
Focus on what can be done
It’s all about the person doing what they can. A walk around the block, a trip to the corner shop for milk, or taking the dog out – all of these small actions help maintain independence and routine. You don’t have to do everything. Just doing a little bit of something makes a real difference.
So, if you’re supporting someone with dementia, encourage them to keep moving in small, manageable ways. A short stroll or carrying out a simple errand can boost confidence, improve health, and lift the spirits.
Even simple, everyday tasks can help someone with dementia feel capable and independent. Nicola Booton is a Dementia Adviser for Alzheimer’s Society in Warwickshire. She often visits people with dementia in their homes. Nicola says: ‘I remember visiting a woman at home, and she kindly offered me a drink. “Would you like tea or coffee?” she asked. I said coffee would be lovely. Then she paused and said, “I don’t know why I offered you coffee – I don’t know how to use the coffee machine. My husband bought it, and we don’t have any regular coffee.”
‘I reassured her that tea was perfect, and she agreed. Then she said, “You’ll have to bear with me – it might take me a bit longer to make it.”
Don’t take over tasks
Nicola adds: ‘It would have been easy to step in and say, “Don’t worry, I’ll do it.” But instead, I just stood nearby and said, “Would you like me to chat while you make the tea, or would it help if I stay quiet so you can think it through?” She replied, “If you don’t mind staying quiet, that’ll help me work out what I need to do.”
‘That small moment really showed the value of giving someone time and space,’ adds Nicola. ‘Yes, it might take five minutes instead of two, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that she did it herself. She made the tea, and she was really pleased with that.’
It’s a good reminder: encouraging independence, no matter how long something takes, can have a big impact on confidence and wellbeing. Sometimes, the best support is simply standing back and allowing someone to do things in their own time.