Dementia Care at Home: Practical Tips & Best Practices for Supporting a Loved One

By Companion Care Home Care – Serving Cranberry Township, PA, Columbus, OH, Canfield, OH & East Liverpool, OH

Caring for someone with dementia is a journey filled with love, patience, and challenges. Whether you’re a family member supporting a loved one or a professional caregiver working with a client, understanding best practices in dementia care can make daily life safer, calmer, and more meaningful for everyone involved.

At Companion Care Home Care, we proudly provide non-medical dementia home care services to families in Cranberry Township, PA; Columbus, OH; Canfield, OH; and East Liverpool, OH. We believe dementia care is about more than tasks—it’s about connection, dignity, and consistency.

Below are practical, proven tips to help you provide compassionate, effective dementia care at home.

1. Understand Dementia Is More Than Memory Loss

Dementia affects thinking, communication, emotions, and behavior—not just memory. A person may struggle with:

  • Word-finding or understanding instructions

  • Changes in mood or personality

  • Confusion about time or place

  • Difficulty with daily routines

Best practice:
Meet the person where they are today, not where they used to be. What worked last month may not work now—and that’s okay.

Families seeking dementia home care in Cranberry Township, PA or Columbus, OH often tell us that understanding this shift makes a world of difference.

2. Create a Calm, Predictable Routine

People living with dementia thrive on structure and familiarity. Predictable routines reduce anxiety and agitation.

Helpful tips:

  • Keep meals, bathing, and bedtime consistent

  • Use gentle reminders instead of rushing

  • Limit unnecessary noise and overstimulation

Caregivers providing in-home dementia care in Canfield, OH and East Liverpool, OH often see improved mood and cooperation when routines stay consistent.

3. Communicate with Patience and Clarity

Communication changes as dementia progresses, but connection remains essential.

Best practices for communication:

  • Speak slowly and clearly

  • Use simple sentences and one-step directions

  • Maintain eye contact and a calm tone

  • Avoid correcting or arguing

If a loved one is confused, it’s often better to redirect rather than correct—a core approach used by our Companion Care caregivers.

4. Focus on Safety Without Taking Away Independence

Safety is critical, but dignity matters just as much.

Home safety considerations:

  • Remove tripping hazards and clutter

  • Ensure good lighting, especially at night

  • Use labels or visual cues on doors and cabinets

  • Monitor stove use and medications

Our non-medical home care services in Cranberry Township, PA, Columbus, OH, Canfield, OH, and East Liverpool, OH focus on supporting independence while keeping clients safe in their own homes.

5. Respond to Behaviors with Compassion

Agitation, wandering, or repeated questions are forms of communication—not “bad behavior.”

Ask yourself:

  • Are they tired, hungry, or overstimulated?

  • Are they in pain or uncomfortable?

  • Is something unfamiliar causing stress?

Understanding the “why” behind behaviors is a key part of professional dementia caregiving.

6. Engage the Mind and Heart

Meaningful activities can reduce anxiety and improve quality of life for those living with dementia.

Dementia-friendly activities include:

  • Listening to familiar music

  • Looking through photo albums

  • Folding laundry or simple household tasks

  • Gentle walks or light movement

  • Conversation about long-term memories

Our caregivers providing dementia companion care in Columbus, OH and surrounding communities focus on purposeful engagement—not just supervision.

7. Take Care of the Caregiver

Caregiver burnout is real—especially for families supporting loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Caregiver reminders:

  • Accept help when it’s offered

  • Take breaks without guilt

  • Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and emotional support

Professional in-home dementia care services can give family caregivers the rest and peace of mind they deserve.

How Companion Care Home Care Supports Dementia Clients

At Companion Care Home Care, we provide trusted non-medical dementia care to families across Cranberry Township, PA; Columbus, OH; Canfield, OH; and East Liverpool, OH.

Our trained caregivers:

  • Provide patient, individualized dementia support

  • Maintain routines and familiar environments

  • Offer companionship and emotional reassurance

  • Assist with daily activities while honoring dignity

We don’t just care for clients—we care about them.

Special Support for Veterans & Their Spouses 🇺🇸

Many families don’t realize that veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for FREE in-home care hours.

Companion Care Home Care is fully credentialed to assist veterans and their families in accessing VA-funded non-medical home care benefits, which can include no-cost care hours for qualifying individuals.

If you or your loved one is a veteran, call us to learn more about eligibility and available benefits—we’re happy to guide you through the process.

We’re Here to Help

Caring for someone with dementia can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone.

If you need assistance caring for your loved one, or would like to learn more about FREE care hours for veterans or their spouse, please call Companion Care at
📞 412-376-7636.

Our team is happy to answer your questions and discuss dementia home care options available in Cranberry Township, PA, Columbus, OH, Canfield, OH, and East Liverpool, OH.

Final Thoughts

Dementia care is not about controlling the disease—it’s about supporting the person living with it. With patience, understanding, and the right in-home care support, home can remain a place of comfort, familiarity, and love.

Companion Care Home Care is honored to serve families—and those who served our country—every step of the way.