Meaningful Engagement and Dementia

As dementia prevalence continues to rise, with an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia and 1.7 million people involved in their care – now is the time to increase awareness about meaningful engagement with people living with dementia to empower their independence and dignity.

Dementia can affect a person’s ability to think, remember and communicate. People’s abilities can vary greatly but staying involved and active in the things they enjoy is important.

Activities can help maintain communication and social engagement, and support living positively with dementia. Many people will continue to engage in meaningful activities independently by developing and using strategies and routines to meet their needs.

Rather than giving up hobbies, interests or activities that are becoming challenging, it may be possible to modify those activities or take up new ones.

Support from family, friends and formal carers can be of great assistance in working out how they can continue to do things they enjoy. Allied health professionals, such as an occupational therapist, can also assist in planning and adapting activities.

Tips to help plan activities for people with dementia

Aim for activities that:

• maintain skills
• compensate for any activities that can no longer be done
• promote self-esteem and is empowering
• stimulate the mind and encourage new learning
• provide enjoyment, pleasure and social contact
• are sensitive to a person’s cultural background.

Consider what makes the person unique:

• former lifestyle
• work history and skills
• hobbies
• recreational and social interests
• travel experiences
• significant life events.

One well known approach to meaningful engagement with people living with dementia is the Montessori for Dementia¹ approach – which can be adapted for individuals or groups as a philosophy of care that supports independence. Indeed, some aged care providers have implemented this as their model of care.

“Everything you do for me, you take from me.” – Maria Montessori

The Montessori approach assists and supports the person living with dementia to be as independent as possible, by exploring their interests, likes and dislikes, favourite activities and memories which are essential towards finding activities that are meaningful and purposeful.

This approach is designed to develop meaningful roles and routines and enable a person living with dementia to function as independently as possible.

There are 12 Montessori principles² to consider when introducing any activity and supporting someone living with dementia using this approach.

1.  The activity should have a sense of purpose and capture the person’s interest.

2.  Always invite the person to participate.

3.  Offer choice whenever possible.

4.  Talk less. Demonstrate more.

5.  Physical skills; focus on what the person can do.

6.  Match your speed with the person you are caring for. Slow down!

7.  Use visual hints, cues or templates.

8.  Give the person something to hold.

9.  Go from simple tasks to more complex ones.

10. Break a task down into steps; make it easier to follow.

11. To end, ask: ‘Did you enjoy doing this?’ and ‘Would you like to do this again?’

12. There is no right or wrong. Think engagement.

Dementia Australia offers a range of education programs suited to support the specific needs of people living with dementia, families and carers. For more information visit https://www.dementia.org.au/get-support/family-carers-education

For more information on Dementia Australia’s care workforce resources, educational tools and programs available for achieving purposeful engagement with people living with dementia visit: dementia.org.au/professionals/professional-development-and-training/achieving-purposeful-engagement

Dementia Australia is here for anyone impacted by dementia. Contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit dementia.org.au for live chat and email. We’re here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. There is no question too big, no reason to small, no time too late to contact the National Dementia Helpline. 

1. Camp, C.J., 2024. 12 key principles of Montessori Inspired Lifestyle. Montessori Dementia Center. 
2. Montessori for Dementia Australia, 2025. Montessori for Dementia and Ageing.

Dr David Sykes, Director, Centre for Dementia Learning, Dementia Australia