Tips for dementia-friendly group discussions and activities

We identified these tips through desktop research, a survey of 30 people living with dementia and their carers, and a review of the resulting draft list by an additional 10 people with dementia. 

Contributors included the Ladies Healthy Memories Activity Group in Peterborough, a member of the 3 Nations Dementia Working Group in Shropshire, and the Focus on Dementia Network Group for Hendon, Greater London. Our research was also bolstered by people in Somerset, Manchester and London.

1. Allow more time for answers

People with dementia may lose their train of thought and digress from answering the question. If this happens, gently steer the conversation back on track.

One of our survey respondent said, 'We need time to consider the question. You could have ten people  each considering the question at different speeds.'

Allowing time for breaks is also helpful – 'A cup of tea is always welcome!'

2. Consider interviewing without carers being present

People people living with dementia told us that it would be 'preferable' to be involved in some discussions 'without carers present.' This can help to ensure their perspectives are expressed more freely and authentically.

Direct engagement with people living with dementia – 'not mixed groups' – should be prioritised, allowing for more accurate insights into their experiences, needs and preferences.

3. Help people to find your activity

Make your chosen space easier to navigate for people living with dementia by using dementia-friendly signage. Not only will this ensure that people don't get lost and have a bad involvement experience, but it'll also help your activity run to time.

Our survey respondents also highlighted provision dementia-friendly transport as a key consideration.

4. Find out about the group in advance

Do your research and then introduce yourself. You might exchange one page profiles or use 'This is me' leaflets.

Our respondents shared the following pieces of advice,

• 'Find out the number of people in the group as it's important to know what type of a group it will be, that is, big or small'.
• 'It's important to be clear about the issues that people have and the way they can best take part in a group. For example, some people would be happy to speak to the whole group while others may prefer speaking one-to-one or in small groups.'

'Ask everybody if they want to speak as some people will not speak until asked, but will have good ideas or questions. Don't assume people don't want to contribute if they don't speak up in a group.

5. Consider using communication support cards

Keep in mind that some people may struggle with verbal forms of communication, while other participants might face challenges with written activity elements. 

Visual prompts can be very helpful. They could point to cue cards, language mats, or pictures in magazines or catalogues to express what they want to say. 

However, these approaches need to be used sensitively. Some of our respondents felt that cards would be 'great' and 'useful', while others expressed concerns that it could feel 'patronising'.

We are all different and it’s not necessarily clear to discussion facilitators at events as to what we can and can’t do or understand.

6. Help people to maintain their focus during discussion

It may be necessary and helpful to develop some techniques for gently guiding discussion back to the original question.

You could use visual and verbal cues, such as writing down each question on a board for the group to see.

Similarly, keeping track of key points on a flipchart can help people to avoid repeating themselves.

7. Prepare dementia-friendly documents in advance

Using our dementia-friendly templates, you can create resources which enable everyone to be fully included your activity. These templates have been developed and tested by people living with dementia.

While some respondents highlighted how useful it was to be able to review all resources ahead of time, 'Any papers we need to prepare for the meeting should be sent out a minimum of thee days in advance. Nothing new on the day.' 

Others felt that this would not help them prepare, 'I would forget what I had read, I would rather have information on the day.'

8. Make it relaxed

It is important to create a relaxed and informal atmosphere, avoiding clinical rooms or office-like environments that may feel intimidating or impersonal.

Some of our respondents suggested that incorporating enjoyable activities, 'such as singing, exercise and hearing from visiting speakers' might add value.