Expressions of feelings and needs are always one way that a person communicates. At this stage of the disease, it is important for the care partner to think like a detective.

• Is the person unwell physically? They might have an infection or be in pain.
• Is there a change in their memory? Or their ability to recognize people and objects?
• Are there strong emotions experienced by the person?
• Is the person capable of doing the activity? It might be too difficult.
• What is happening in their environment? Think about noise level and lighting.
• How is the person’s cultural and social background influencing them?

Reference: The PIECES Approach, U-First® Program, accessed 6 March 2024,

Dementia is much more than memory lapses. Your brain is responsible for many more functions. As you can see, there are different aspects that will influence the person living with dementia and how they react.

To understand more about how physical changes in the person might influence the brain, please visit the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health

To understand how the brain changes of dementia affect the senses of the person living with dementia, access Talking Sense: Living with Sensory Changes and Dementia by Agnes Houston, diagnosed with young-onset dementia.