How to Follow the Person’s Focus in Dementia Care

Why connection comes before guidance

In many care situations, the goal is clear: help the person get dressed, guide them to the bathroom, support eating, or complete a task. So we try to lead. We give instructions. We guide the activity. We move the situation forward.

But something doesn’t work. The person resists. Becomes distracted. Or disengages completely. Because one essential step is …