The more the dementia progresses, the more stressful and demanding care and living together can become. It is difficult for relatives to see how a loved one loses their abilities and finds it increasingly difficult to cope with everyday life.

As the disease progresses, minor character traits often become more pronounced and sometimes the personality of the person with dementia changes dramatically. Depending on the type of dementia and the stage of the disease, unfamiliar situations can arise that family caregivers also have to learn to deal with.

If you discover that someone has dementia, there are some important behaviors when dealing with people with dementia that you as a relative should observe.

Four basic rules can be particularly helpful for you at the onset of dementia:

Educate yourself about the disease to better understand it.
Be patient, empathetic and give your relatives enough time.
Create a structured environment and establish a familiar routine. Build up a support network and take care of your own health.

Many of the providers listed in this brochure can help people with dementia and their relatives to cope with the disease.