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Dementia is thought to impact around half of the elderly population above 85 years old. It refers to a collection of mental health disorders that affect an individual’s thinking, memory, reasoning, behaviors, mood, and personality. Dementia typically leads to noticeable cognitive decline, which often necessitates extra care and support to ensure safety and general well-being. Continue reading to discover 69 insightful questions about dementia to consider during therapy sessions with clients.
Although Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent form of dementia, there are several other types as well. These include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease, and even side effects from certain medications.
People who show initial signs of dementia may manifest the following:
- Forgetting information just learned
- Repetitively asking the same questions shortly after receiving answers
- Misplacing frequently used items or leaving them in unusual places
- Difficulty finding the right words
- Shifts in interests, behaviors, and mood
- Forgetting the current season, month, or year
- Finding daily tasks increasingly challenging
- Experiencing heightened anxiety, agitation, confusion, and mistrust
- Needing assistance with personal hygiene and daily living skills
- Having hallucinations
Preparing for Your Initial Dementia Therapy Session with a Client
Prior to meeting with a new client, it would be beneficial to review any existing documentation you may have. This can include previous treatment records, medical evaluations, and test results. Such paperwork might provide insight into prior diagnoses and treatments undertaken.
When assessing an individual who shows early dementia symptoms or hasn’t been formally diagnosed, you could be tasked with collecting the information necessary for a clinical diagnosis. This process may involve various specialists and assessment tools. It could encompass a thorough mental health evaluation, lab tests to exclude other conditions, as well as imaging studies like a CT or FDG-PET scan.
If you’re working in a healthcare facility that serves clients already diagnosed with dementia, preparing for your session can be advantageous. Alongside reviewing existing materials, it can be useful to prepare worksheets to enrich your sessions. Resources like those offered by TherapyByPro can serve to reinforce topics discussed during sessions and act as reminders for your clients. Examples of worksheets that could be beneficial include:
Lastly, it’s important to consider your own well-being. Take a moment to grab a snack, stay hydrated, or stretch. Some find it helpful to engage in short meditation or relaxation techniques between sessions. If you find yourself feeling psychologically overwhelmed, seeking supervision or professional assistance could be valuable for your wellbeing.
What Questions About Dementia Should I Include in Sessions?
During your first session, consider incorporating various questions about dementia to better understand your client’s symptoms and experiences. Below is a brief overview of questions to assess dementia, which can be adapted to suit your client:
- What prompted you to come in today?
- What changes have you observed in your everyday life?
- When did you first become aware of these symptoms?
- What observations have those close to you made about your daily life changes?
- How do you feel when others comment on the changes they see in your mood, personality, or behaviors?
- Do you feel like you have been forgetful recently?
- How frequently do you misplace your wallet, keys, phone, or remote control?
- Have you missed any recent events or gatherings?
- Can you tell me which season we are currently in?
- How would you describe your mental health history?
- Have you ever faced challenges with your mental health?
- Have you ever participated in mental health treatment or taken medication for psychological distress?
- What is your current situation regarding substance use?
- Can you describe your past substance use?
- Have you ever felt out of control when using drugs or consuming alcohol?
- How would you rate your overall health?
- Have you taken any medications for an extended period?
- Is there a history of significant medical issues in your background?
- Have any medications you’ve taken had cognitive change warnings?
- When did you begin to feel health challenges?
- Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?
- How would you assess your current level of independence?
- Are there any tasks that become easier with help from others?
- Are there any activities where you require assistance?
- Have you forgotten to pay any bills recently?
- What is your family’s history with mental health issues?
- Did any family member experience dementia?
- What behaviors did you observe in them that suggested dementia?
- Can you share information about your tobacco usage?
- What has your exercise routine been like throughout the years?
- Do you have any hobbies or games that help keep your mind active?
- Do you enjoy activities such as crosswords or word searches?
- Can you tell me about your friendships?
- Do you get to see your friends often?
- How would you describe your relationship with your family?
- How frequently do you meet with friends?
- Can you tell me about
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Wrapping Up on Effective Dementia Questions for Therapy Sessions
We appreciate your interest in our discussion about crucial questions to pose to clients showing signs of dementia. Mental health therapies can be a valuable support for individuals living with dementia. Therapy can provide cognitive exercises to support memory retention and reasoning, potentially slowing cognitive decline. Counseling may enhance overall emotional health by addressing issues like depression and anxiety.
Including occupational therapy in a broader treatment strategy can help clients preserve their independence, which allows them to feel they still have control over their lives. With appropriate professional guidance, individuals living with dementia can manage their symptoms and perhaps slow the illness’s progression. This care typically involves a multidisciplinary team made up of medical practitioners, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, and mental health counselors.
If you’re interested in gaining insight on dementia-related test inquiries, along with ways to assist clients displaying dementia signs, we recommend looking into educational and training options available in your field. Supervision can be a beneficial medium to explore strategies to enhance your skills related to dementia care.
TherapyByPro is an online directory for mental health services connecting mental health professionals with those in need of help. If you’re a mental health expert, consider joining our community and featuring your practice here. We provide assessments, practice documentation, and worksheets that can assist mental health practitioners in streamlining their work. Explore all our resources, including mental health forms, worksheets, and assessments here.
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