Caring for someone with dementia comes with a unique set of challenges, especially during moments of agitation or confusion. As cognitive function declines, people with dementia may become disoriented, anxious, or upset, sometimes without an obvious cause. Knowing how to respond in a way that soothes rather than escalates can make a significant difference in their comfort and quality of life.
In this blog, we explore the top 3 ways to calm a dementia patient based on research-backed practices and practical caregiving experience. Whether you’re a family caregiver or part of a professional care team, these strategies can help you foster a more peaceful and supportive environment.
1. Use Familiar Music to Create Calm
Music is one of the most effective non-pharmacological tools for reducing agitation in dementia patients. Familiar melodies can tap into long-term memory, helping patients reconnect with their past and feel safe. According to studies, music can decrease aggressive behavior, improve mood, and even support memory retention.
Platforms like Coro Health, a partner in the Engagement Bundle, offer therapeutic music experiences designed specifically for people living with dementia. Their programs are curated to match individual preferences and emotional needs, making it easier to bring moments of peace into daily care routines.
2. Provide Multi-Sensory, Soothing Visual Content
Visual stimulation plays a crucial role in calming individuals with dementia. Gentle, multi-sensory content can redirect attention and reduce anxiety without overwhelming the senses. Nature scenes, slow-motion visuals, and familiar environments often help reduce distress and support engagement.
Memory Lane TV, also included in the Engagement Bundle, offers calming videos tailored for people with cognitive decline. These programs are designed with input from neurologists and caregivers, ensuring that each video supports a calm, comforting experience. The addition of gentle music and nostalgic visuals can significantly reduce restlessness and promote emotional well-being.
3. Engage Through Simple, Personalized Activities
Staying engaged in familiar, meaningful activities is essential to emotional stability for dementia patients. Repetitive tasks, storytelling, trivia, and even light movement like tai chi, can reduce feelings of helplessness or confusion.
MemoryBio and EngagedSenior by MemoryCo, both available through the Engagement Bundle, provide conversation prompts, games, and cognitive activities that are easy to facilitate. Spiro100 includes 30 movement & relaxation classes for those with cognitive decline. These tools are specifically designed to encourage gentle mental stimulation and social interaction, and movement, which can help ground patients and ease tension.
Support Calm and Connection with the Engagement Bundle
Managing dementia-related agitation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The Engagement Bundle offers a full suite of tools from trusted partners like Spiro100, Coro Health, Discover Live, and more to help caregivers support emotional well-being with confidence.
By bringing together therapeutic music, multi-sensory video content, cognitive activities, virtual travel, fitness, and spiritual support into one easy-to-use platform, the Engagement Bundle simplifies care while enriching residents’ lives. Whether you’re a caregiver in a memory care unit or a family member at home, these resources offer flexible, effective ways to create calm and connection every day.
Learn how to support the whole person, mind, body, and spirit, with the Engagement Bundle.
See how it works at www.engagementbundle.com.