6. Dementia and trauma-informed care

Dementia and dementia care can sometimes trigger trauma responses to things that seem ordinary.

In early 'what matters' conversations, it’s important that you explore the person’s life experiences with empathy and understanding.

This gives you valuable context for the person’s responses that may appear later. It also gives you the opportunity for trauma-informed dementia care, making sure that care is compassionate and tailored to the person’s needs.

Family members can give valuable insights into the person’s past experiences and current needs. They can help you to better understand what matters to the person.

It’s crucial to avoid re-traumatising the person. Let the person lead the conversation and make a note of any triggers or past experiences that may impact them.

This way, you can make sure the care they get is sensitive and respectful of their history.