Part 2: Sharing the Message
Table of Contents
The actions, attitudes, and approaches you’ve learned throughout this course can make a real difference in the daily lives of people living with dementia, and they often benefit many others as well. However, we can help amplify that message by ensuring that as many people as possible understand dementia, feel confident offering support, and know where to turn to with questions.
Talking to Colleagues, Customers, Clients, and Neighbours about Dementia Supportive Communities
Sharing the message about Dementia Supportive Communities doesn’t mean delivering a formal presentation. In fact, sharing something personal, relatable, and grounded in real experience, helps people connect. And, while talking about Dementia Supportive Communities can feel uncomfortable at first, there are a few simple strategies that can help you feel prepared and confident.
Tips for Constructive Conversations
It’s easier to get people excited about a future they can imagine clearly.
Example:
When I imagine a Dementia Supportive Community, I see people who always feel comfortable doing what they need to do and going where they want to go.”
- Keep stories short and relatable
- Focus on the impact, not the details
- It’s okay if the story isn’t “perfect”
- Be mindful of privacy and consent when sharing stories, and consider who the story belongs to and the dignity of the people involved (e.g., anonymizing details or asking permission).
Example:
The customer shared how much easier they found doing their shopping during the early quiet time. They now shop at that time every week!
The most effective conversations are grounded in your own experience.
- Share what surprised or stuck with you
- Emphasize how your attitude or behaviour has changed as a result
Example:
Thinking about dementia in terms of the different thinking ‘lines’ really helped me to understand think in terms of emotion when communicating with someone living with dementia.
Different audiences care about different things:
Focus on stories, resources and support, such as:
- Share brief examples that normalize support and reduce stigma
- Share your experiences with the training and other resources you’ve found useful
- Mention supports in a matter-of-fact, welcoming way that makes help feel accessible, not urgent or clinical
Example:
I’ve started having longer conversations with regular customers when it’s quieter – I’ve learned so many interesting things and made some new friends. I’ve noticed they seem to feel more comfortable coming in now – even on a bad day. I wouldn’t have though to do that before I took the training.
Focus on stories, resources and support, such as:
- Share brief examples that normalize support and reduce stigma
- Share your experiences with the training and other resources you’ve found useful
- Mention supports in a matter-of-fact, welcoming way that makes help feel accessible, not urgent or clinical
Example:
I’ve started having longer conversations with regular customers when it’s quieter – I’ve learned so many interesting things and made some new friends. I’ve noticed they seem to feel more comfortable coming in now – even on a bad day. I wouldn’t have though to do that before I took the training.
Focus on empathy and everyday understanding, and opportunities for involvement, such as:
- Connect Dementia Supportive actions to things people already do, like helping a neighbour or being patient in public spaces
- Invite curiosity or participation in small, accessible ways
- Encourage curiosity and empathy rather than “getting it right”
Example:
Lot’s of the things we already do are Dementia Supportive – like clearing snow from the neighbour’s sidewalk, being friendly and patient with people – and they make a huge difference. If you’d like to learn more, I’d be happy to talk further or show you where to go to find some great information.”
Sharing the message isn’t about telling people what to do, it’s about opening the door and creating opportunities for people to learn and do more.
- Mention supports and resources naturally
- Make resources easily available and accessible (e.g. referral cards, QR codes/links to AS AB/NT training/social media)
- Use invitational language
- Let people choose how they want to engage
Examples:
If you ever need it, the Alzheimer Society has really helpful resources – here is a link to their webpage.
I’m happy to share more if you’re interested.