Engaging a person with dementia in meaningful activities and teaching new habits or behaviors is a challenging but worthwhile effort. Dementia affects the brain’s ability to store and retrieve short term memories, which makes it difficult for individuals to retain new information or follow through on instructions. However, with patience, consistency, and tailored strategies, it is possible to help someone with dementia stay engaged and even learn new things, though the outcomes will depend on the stage and type of dementia they are experiencing.
While short-term memory loss is the hallmark of dementia, research suggests that individuals with dementia can learn and retain new information under certain conditions. Repetition and consistent reinforcement play critical roles in this process. Tasks such as putting the toilet seat down, washing hands after toileting, or washing hands before eating may require environmental cues like signs or visual aids placed in strategic locations. Associating these behaviors with routine activities can also strengthen their recall. For instance, using a brightly colored sticker on the toilet lid as a reminder to close it or placing soap dispensers with engaging scents near sinks may trigger the desired actions.
Learning for individuals with dementia tends to rely heavily on procedural memory-memory for routines and habits-which often remains intact longer than other types of memory. Teaching through demonstration breaking tasks into simple steps and practicing frequently can help embed new behaviors into this procedural memory. For example, practicing hand washing as a joint activity every time they use the bathroom may reinforce the habit over time. While they may not consciously remember the rationale behind the action, the routine itself can become automatic with enough repetition.
For individuals with advanced dementia who struggle to retain even procedural routines, alternative strategies may focus more on environmental adjustments than direct teaching. Automated devices such as toilet lids that close automatically or motion-sensor faucets, can minimize the need for learning new habits while still supporting hygiene and safety. Additionally, engaging them in sensory activities, such as aromatherapy or hand massages, before meals can indirectly prompt handwashing by associating pleasant experiences with a necessary task later on.