Respect is not a luxury. When there is a person with dementia in the family, our responsibility is not only to help them dress and eat – but also to maintain who they are, their status in the family, and the way we speak to them and towards them.

• Restore a sense of purpose
  Don't do it for him. everythingAsk him to help with something small and simple: folding towels, mixing salad, giving a blessing to the grandchildren. It's not the action that's important – it's the feeling that he's still contributing and being considered.

• Remember that he is here – even if it looks different
  Sometimes they say, "He's not here anymore" – but he is here. The spark, the memories, and the love haven't disappeared; only the way to reach them has changed. When you speak slowly, touch hands, mention shared moments – suddenly you see a smile, a look that responds, a tear.

• Dementia ≠ the end
  A person with dementia can still feel, be moved, rejoice, sing. There will be hard days, but also moments of connection and laughter. It is important to continue to look for these moments – in a familiar song, a picture from the past, a hug.

• Respect also in words
  They don't say "demented." They say: A person with dementiaFirst of all, a person – with history, character, respect. The language we use affects how he feels, and also how the environment sees and treats him.

True honor is in sight: To see the person behind the illness, to give them a role, a place, and a voice – even when the words no longer always work. When we choose to respect, patiently and gently, we return a little of the light – both to them and to us.