How can relatives organize everyday life with those affected?

Every person is special. Everyone has different hobbies, their own preferences and interests. This also applies to people with dementia. Therefore, there can be no universal rule on how to organize your own everyday life with dementia or how relatives should organize everyday life together. But there are some useful tips. Many organizations also offer courses or training in this area.

Ask your general practitioner or a care service for appropriate services in your area.

Tips for the interview

  • The surroundings should be quiet. Avoid multiple sources of noise, such as televisions or music, when you are having a conversation.
  • Adapt to the person you are talking to. Give each other time for answers.
  • Repeat the sentences if necessary.
  • Avoid arguments or discussions. Do not interfere with the person you are talking to.
  • Ask specific questions. Do not start them with "why", "wherefore", "wherefore".
  • A person with dementia is an adult: avoid "baby talk".
  • If the person with dementia argues with you or reproaches you, try not to take it personally.
  • Take people with dementia seriously.
  • If the situation is tense, leave the room for a few minutes and then come back.

Tips on body language

  • Maintain eye contact during the conversation and try to be at eye level with the person. This works if, for example, you are both sitting or both standing.
  • Listen and show interest.
  • A friendly face or a smile contributes to a positive mood.
  • Not everyone likes to be touched. If you know that the person with dementia likes to be touched: Take their hand or touch their shoulder, for example. Touching the face or thigh may be perceived as too intimate.

Tips for organizing everyday life with moderate to severe impairment

Find out together what brings joy to people with dementia. This can vary from day to day. It is helpful if you know what the person with dementia used to enjoy doing. If you don't know, ask someone else, for example someone from the family. These are often activities such as

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Writing
  • Drawing
  • Solving crossword puzzles
  • Read
  • Television

Allow the person with dementia as much time as they need for the activity in question. Just make sure that he or she gets up from time to time and stretches his or her legs. Drinking and going to the toilet should not be forgotten either.

Click on the following link to find out more about how everyday life can be organized. Here you will also find examples of daily routines, everyday life, household chores and memory work:

Shaping everyday life - Website Alzheimer Austria

If your relative or loved one with dementia tends to be unable to find their way home

Some people with dementia have a strong urge to move around and sometimes even leave their homes. It can therefore be useful to be prepared for such an eventuality.

There are 2 forms from the police with tips on what to look out for:

Emergency card for family caregivers

On the emergency card, you can specify a person you trust who can be contacted quickly in an emergency if you are suddenly unavailable due to an unforeseeable event such as illness or accident.

The emergency card is the size of a bank card. You can order it from the community of interest by Mail order:
office@ig-pflege.at

Last update: June 30, 2025