3.2 Provide support to an individual with dementia using strategies that have been developed from knowledge of their personality and life history

This guide will help you answer 3.2 Provide support to an individual with dementia using strategies that have been developed from knowledge of their personality and life history.

Supporting a person with dementia means looking beyond the condition and focusing on them as a whole person. This unit focuses on using information about their personality and life history to create strategies that work for their needs. Every person with dementia has lived a life full of experiences, skills and preferences. By knowing them well, care workers can:

• Communicate more effectively
• Reduce distress and confusion
• Strengthen trust and emotional security
• Create meaningful moments during daily care

This approach is person-centred. It puts the individual rather than the disease at the centre of care planning and delivery.

Dementia and its Effects

Dementia is a group of conditions that affect the brain and lead to problems with memory, reasoning, communication and daily living skills. Symptoms may progress over time. Each person’s experience is different.

Common effects include:

• Short-term memory loss
• Difficulty recognising familiar people or places
• Confusion about dates and times
• Problems with speech and understanding
• Changes in mood and behaviour

These changes can be distressing for the person and their family. Knowing their background and personality can help reduce anxiety and enhance wellbeing.

Importance of Personality and Life History in Care

Personality is a person’s individual pattern of thinking, feeling and behaving. Life history is a record of experiences, events, relationships, achievements and challenges throughout their life.

Using these details in care means you can:

• Create activities they find familiar and enjoyable
• Communicate using language or expressions they understand
• Respect and build on past skills and knowledge
• Avoid triggers that cause distress or frustration

For example, if someone was a keen gardener, involving them in small garden tasks can give purpose and comfort. If they enjoyed a certain style of music in their youth, playing it can spark positive emotions and memories.

Gathering Life History Information

To provide this type of support, you need to find out about the person’s past. This can be done in several ways:

• Talking to the person, where possible, using gentle open-ended questions
• Speaking with family members and close friends
• Reading any personal records, biographies or memory books provided
• Observing the person’s reactions to different topics, activities or environments

When gathering information, focus on aspects such as:

• Place and date of birth
• Childhood memories
• Education and career history
• Hobbies and interests
• Favourite foods, music, TV or books
• Religion or cultural practices
• Important relationships in their life
• Significant life events

Keep records updated. People may remember or share new details over time.

Developing Care Strategies from Life History

Once you know the individual’s personality and life story, you can create strategies to support them better. This means planning activities, routines and communication methods suited to their identity.

Areas to consider:

• Daily routines that reflect previous habits, such as breakfast preferences or typical waking times
• Communication style that mirrors their own speech patterns, tone and preferred terms
• Activity choices that match old hobbies, work skills or interests
• Social interaction that reflects their comfort level, such as group gatherings or one-to-one chats
• Environmental layout that feels familiar and reassuring

For example:
If a lady spent many years as a primary school teacher, she may enjoy reading children’s books to others or helping in an activity group. A former mechanic might respond well to handling safe tools or photographs of classic cars.

Supporting Individual Preferences in Communication

Communication changes are common in dementia. By knowing the person’s background, you can adapt how you speak and listen.

Helpful strategies include:

• Using familiar phrases or sayings they often used in the past
• Referring to people, places or events they recognise
• Speaking slowly and giving time to respond
• Using visual prompts alongside words, such as photos from their life
• Using respectful touch if they are comfortable with it

If someone grew up speaking another language, they may revert to it later in dementia. In that case, using key phrases in that language or involving bilingual staff can help.

Using Activities that Have Personal Meaning

Activities are more engaging when they reflect someone’s past experiences. They can stimulate memory, promote physical movement, and give a sense of purpose.

Examples:

• Music: Play songs from their teenage years or early adulthood
• Cooking: Prepare traditional dishes they know well
• Crafts: Set up knitting, sewing or woodwork if they enjoyed these in the past
• Reminiscence therapy: Use photos, items, or smells from earlier life stages
• Religious or cultural rituals: Include prayer times, music, or holiday customs meaningful to them

Always match the level of activity to their current ability to avoid frustration. Offer help without taking over the task entirely.

Reducing Distress with Personalised Strategies

A person with dementia may become distressed by confusion, changes in routine or unfamiliar environments. Strategies based on their life history can ease those feelings.

For example:

• If someone becomes restless in the late afternoon, knowing they always used to go for a walk at that time can help restore calm.
• If they become upset when asked to bathe, playing a favourite song or using toiletries from their past can make the experience gentler.
• If they get anxious in large groups, provide quiet one-to-one activities instead.

These details create a link between past comfort zones and present needs.

Recording and Sharing Information with the Care Team

Information about the person’s life and personality should be recorded in their care plan. This ensures all staff understand the best ways to support them.

Points to include:

• Preferred daily routines
• Communication style and preferred terms of address
• Activities and topics that make them happy
• Known triggers for distress or agitation
• Important relationships and contacts

Update these records when you gain new insights. Share them during team meetings and handovers so all colleagues can follow the same personalised approach.

Working with Families and Friends

Families and close friends often hold valuable knowledge about the person’s history and preferences. Involving them in care planning builds a fuller picture.

Ways to work with them:

• Invite them to share stories, photos and favourite objects
• Ask them to join in activities or outings
• Keep them updated on strategies that work well
• Listen to their feedback about the person’s needs

This strengthens trust and helps maintain the person’s identity.

Respecting Dignity and Individuality

Every person with dementia must be treated as unique. Using life history information helps preserve their identity, even when memory fades. Always involve them in decisions where possible. Speak to them directly, not just to family or colleagues.

Respect means:

• Using their preferred name or title
• Offering choices instead of making assumptions
• Listening carefully to their opinions
• Avoiding talking over them or ignoring them
• Being patient during communication and tasks

Dignity is upheld when the person feels listened to and valued.

Managing Changes Over Time

Dementia symptoms will change as the condition progresses. Strategies based on life history need to be flexible. Some activities might become too difficult. The person’s mood or abilities may shift.

Adapt by:

• Simplifying tasks without removing meaning
• Offering shorter activities with breaks
• Using sensory stimulation when conversation becomes harder
• Focusing on emotions rather than facts when discussing memories

For example, someone may no longer remember a holiday trip’s details but may still enjoy hearing the sound of ocean waves or smelling suntan lotion.

Training and Self-Reflection for Workers

Supporting a person in this personalised way requires skill and awareness. Workers should seek training in:

• Dementia awareness and communication techniques
• Reminiscence therapy methods
• Cultural competence and sensitivity
• Record keeping and care planning

Reflect on your own practice regularly. Ask yourself:

• Am I considering the person’s history in my support?
• Do I notice changes in what calms or engages them?
• Am I feeding back these observations to the team?

This reflection improves the quality of care over time.

Ethical and Legal Considerations

Using someone’s personal history involves handling sensitive information. Workers must follow data protection laws and organisational policies at all times.

Key points:

• Store personal details securely
• Only share information with authorised staff involved in the person’s care
• Gain consent where possible before using personal items or stories in group settings
• Be respectful and professional when speaking about someone’s life

Following these principles keeps the person’s privacy safe and strengthens trust.

Supporting Independence

Using life history can help a person with dementia keep some independence. Link routine tasks to familiar habits and skills.

Examples:

• A former baker could help stir ingredients for a cake
• A retired office worker could assist in sorting papers or organising files
• Someone who always set the table for family meals could continue doing so in the care setting

Small acts of independence support dignity and self-worth.

Creating a Supportive Environment

Physical surroundings can be adapted using life history information. Familiar items and layouts can make spaces less confusing.

Suggestions:

• Display photos from earlier life stages
• Use colours, scents and objects connected to positive memories
• Arrange rooms in ways similar to their former home if possible
• Avoid sudden changes that remove familiar cues

A supportive environment can lower anxiety and encourage engagement.

Final Thoughts

Providing care that draws on a person’s personality and life history makes a significant difference for someone with dementia. It creates a supportive, respectful and meaningful environment. Instead of focusing only on what they have lost, it celebrates what remains. By recognising their skills, memories and values, you can make daily life more comfortable and enjoyable.

This approach is not a fixed formula but a commitment to seeing the whole person. It involves observation, communication, and partnership with families. It respects dignity, strengthens connection, and helps maintain identity. Over time, as needs change, you can adapt while still keeping their personal history at the heart of your work.