Interaction with Friends and Family - Leisure Activities - Management Stategies Symptom Library - DementiaGuide.com

Management Strategies

If a behavior which you deem to be inappropriate or hurtful occurs, make sure that you do not react in shock or anger. Instead gently but firmly remind the person that their behavior is inappropriate. Whenever possible apologize on behalf of the person you care for to the friend or family member. After an episode has passed do not remind the person of the incident.
Look into activities at senior centers or at your local Alzheimer's society . The person you care for may benefit from interacting with people who also have dementia. This also gives them an opportunity to perhaps make new friends. They may feel less self-conscious and comfortable knowing that they are around others who are in a similar situation to them.
Try and find time to privately talk to family members and friends about the situation. Make sure they understand the limitations that the disease puts on the person you care for. This will help them to be more understanding and agreeable when interacting with the person you care for. Encourage them to be supportive and caring to the person you care for. The person you care for will be more likely to interact when they know they are in a safe environment.
Particularly around holidays, there is a lot of interaction with friends and family. Holidays tend to be hectic and loud, which can be overwhelming to the person you care for. Try and find ways to make things easier and comfortable for the person you care for. Limit the number of family members or friends over at a time, and the length of their visit. This will help the person you care for from tiring quickly and becoming over stimulated.
Before a social event, it may be helpful to go over the names and faces of friends and family members that they will be meeting. This will help to remind them of the names, and refresh their memory . This will likely boost their confidence and make them feel more comfortable about interacting with friends and family.