Dementia Glossary
Simple words and phrases for supporting a loved one with dementia
For caregivers, families, health workers, and interpreters.
Understanding Dementia: Key Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Alzheimer’s disease | The most common cause of dementia. It slowly affects memory and thinking over time. |
| Behavioural changes | New behaviours that may seem unusual—like getting angry easily, wandering, or acting fearful. |
| Capacity | The ability to make decisions about your own health, money, or daily life. Some people with dementia may lose capacity over time. |
| Care plan | A written or spoken plan between a caregiver, the person with dementia, and health providers. It may include daily routines, safety steps, medicine, and appointments. |
| Caregiver | A person who helps someone with daily care. This could be a family member, friend, or health worker. |
| Check-up | A routine visit with a healthcare provider to talk about health concerns and do basic tests. In dementia care, this may include questions about memory, mood, and daily life. |
| Cognitive changes | Changes in memory, thinking, language, or problem-solving. |
| Cognitive screening | A short set of questions or tasks that help assess memory, attention, and thinking. It’s not a full diagnosis, but it helps health workers know if more testing is needed. |
| Consent | Permission to receive care, services, or information. Health providers must explain things clearly, and the person must agree—if they are able to make decisions. |
| Dementia | A medical condition that changes how a person remembers, thinks, speaks, and behaves. It is caused by diseases in the brain. |
| Diagnosis | When a healthcare provider figures out what condition a person has and explains it to them. |
| Early diagnosis | Finding out about a disease in its early stages. With dementia, this helps the person and their family plan and get support. |
| Environment | The space around a person—including noise, lighting, and layout. Calm, familiar environments are helpful for people with dementia. |
| Familiar objects and activities | Things the person knows and remembers—like a sewing kit, a favourite song, or a familiar walking path. |
| Follow-up | A second appointment to check how things are going after an earlier visit or diagnosis. Often includes updates, care planning, or changes in medication. |
| Health centre | A local community clinic where Nunavummiut can see a nurse or doctor, refill prescriptions, and get support. Health centres are often the first step in getting help for memory concerns. |
| Interpreter | A person who helps translate between languages—for example, from English to Inuktitut. This is important for making sure the person and their family fully understand medical information. |
| Label | A word or picture on a drawer, door, or container that shows what’s inside. Labels help the person find what they need more easily. |
| Mental wellness services | Programs that support people’s emotional and mental health. These may include counselling, wellness workers, and support groups. |
| Mobility aid | Something that helps a person move around safely—like a walker, cane, or wheelchair. |
| Non-verbal communication | Communication without words—including eye contact, gestures, facial expressions, and tone of voice. |
| Progressive illness | An illness that gets worse over time. Dementia is a progressive illness. |
| Prompt | A short reminder or cue (spoken or visual) to help the person remember what to do next. For example: “Let’s brush your teeth now.” |
| Referral | When a healthcare provider sends the person to another healthcare provider—such as a doctor, specialist, or program—for more help or testing. |
| Respite | A break for the caregiver, when someone else helps with care. |
| Routine | A regular way of doing things each day (like meals, sleep, or hygiene). Routines help reduce confusion and stress. |
| Support services | Programs or people who help families—like respite care, home visits, or NDMS resources. |
| Triggers | Things that cause a strong reaction, like loud noise, too many people, or sudden changes in routine. |
| Wandering | When someone walks away from home or gets lost without meaning to. It is common in dementia. |
Common Phrases Used in Dementia Care
These phrases are helpful when talking with someone living with dementia. Keep your tone
gentle and relaxed. Use gestures or pictures if needed.
- “Let’s go for a walk.”
- “It’s time for medicine.”
- “We’re going to have lunch now.”
- “Would you like to sit down here?”
- “I’m going to help you with your coat.”
- “That’s okay — we can do it together.”
- “You are safe. I’m here with you.”
- “It’s all right—we don’t have to hurry.”
- “Let’s listen to some music.”
- “Can you show me where it is?”
Repeating things calmly is okay. What matters most is the feeling of safety and
connection.