Creative Dementia Care: Looking Beyond the Diagnosis
When someone is diagnosed with dementia, it's easy for conversations to become centred around memory loss, medication and the challenges ahead.
But great dementia care starts with a different question:
"Who is this person, and what still brings them joy?"
Rediscovering a Love of Learning
Jonathan supports Rex, an 86-year-old CBE recipient who led an extraordinary life before developing fluctuating dementia. Following an unwanted move into residential care, Rex became increasingly isolated and many of the routines that had shaped his identity disappeared. Rather than letting their relationship end, Jonathan continued visiting him several times each week for companionship.
Knowing Rex had always enjoyed learning and lively conversation, Jonathan suggested something different. Instead of another cup of tea in the lounge, they began making weekly visits to West Sussex Libraries.
Each week Jonathan pushes Rex in his wheelchair to the library, where they settle in the children's section during quieter hours.
Colourful books explain fascinating subjects in simple, engaging ways. One week they explore the Romans. The next it's the Tudors. Another week, the Second World War.
For an hour, dementia fades into the background.
They debate history, share opinions and reminisce. Jonathan gently stimulates memories without making Rex feel tested or corrected. The results have been remarkable. Despite his fluctuating dementia, Rex remembers their previous library visits and eagerly looks forward to the next one.
At the end of one visit, he simply turned to Jonathan and said:
"I don't know what I'd do without you."
Rex, Kingsway Care Client
Sometimes the Smallest Changes Make the Biggest Difference
Jonathan also understands that seemingly small details can have a huge impact.
One client, Shirley, was eating only around a quarter of each meal prepared for her.
Drawing on his previous career as a chef, Jonathan recognised something many families overlook. People eat with their eyes first.
Instead of simply placing lunch in front of Shirley, he offered genuine choice before carefully presenting her selected salmon salad with fluted cucumber and neatly cut triangle sandwiches.
Her immediate response was:
"Ooh... that looks inviting."
That day, she ate 95% of her meal. It wasn't the food that changed. It was the experience.
Five Creative Dementia Care Ideas Anyone Can Try
Jonathan believes meaningful dementia care doesn't always require expensive equipment or specialist activities.
Often, it's about understanding the individual.
His advice includes:
- Focus on lifelong interests rather than the dementia diagnosis. Curiosity and patience can reveal what someone may be trying to express.
- Create opportunities for conversation, not quizzes or memory tests.
- Use familiar places, such as libraries, parks or cafés, to encourage gentle social interaction
- Present food attractively and offer genuine choices wherever possible.
- Remember that behaviour is often a form of communication.
Sharing Dementia Knowledge in the Community
Protecting Identity
Jonathan's creative approach reminds us that outstanding dementia care isn't about managing decline.
It's about protecting identity. It's about creating moments of joy, purpose and connection. Most importantly, it's about ensuring every person continues to feel seen, valued and understood.
Because while dementia may change memories, it should never diminish a person's dignity.
