Tips for Interviewing/Meeting People with Dementia

People with dementia and their families are often motivated to tell their story because they might be able to help others who find themselves in a similar situation. Talking in a safe and affable environment, to people who are prepared to listen and understand, can give families a sense of release and freedom. But only if they are treated with dignity and understanding.

When interviewing a person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, one should keep the following advice in mind:

• Remember the individual behind the condition. Report them as a person first and someone who has dementia second. Listen to their story and avoid correcting, interrupting or speaking on behalf of the person.
• Where possible, the consent to participate in the interview should be sought from both the person with dementia and their family carer.
• Treat the person with dementia like any other interviewee. Act naturally, greet them with a handshake, and avoid patronising or over-praising.
• Interviewing a person with dementia may require patience. If necessary, allow more time for answers and repeat questions if required.
• Be clear and precise when seeking information on the person’s experiences and ask only one concisely phrased question at a time.
• Dementia affects the person’s memory, so be aware that it may be difficult for the person to answer questions that require them to draw on their memory.
• Often the person with dementia will reply to questions with short, concise answers rather than longer comprehensive ones, so be prepared to move on to the next point or topic.
• If you do not understand the answer you receive, ask for clarification, or repeat what you have understood for confirmation.
• Speaking clearly may help when interviewing someone with dementia but remember it is not necessary to raise your voice when speaking.