How to Write a Dementia Care Plan
A dementia or cognition care plan should describe how memory, orientation and decision-making affect this individual, alongside the approaches that help them feel secure and involved.
What to include
- Orientation to person, place and time
- Memory and information-processing needs
- How confusion or distress presents for this person
- Reassurance, redirection and routines that help
- Capacity and decision-specific support where relevant
- Communication with relatives, representatives and professionals where appropriate
Writing the care need
Describe the person's current ability and the support they require. Include relevant preferences and risks, but avoid generic statements that could apply to anybody.
Writing the outcome
Make the outcome meaningful to the person — for example maintaining independence, communicating needs, remaining comfortable, reducing avoidable risk or receiving consistent support.
Writing the care actions
State what staff should do in practical terms: level of assistance, approach, equipment, prompts, observations and escalation where relevant.
Review and update
Check the plan whenever the person's needs, abilities, risks, equipment or professional guidance changes, and follow the care provider's own review process.