Meaningful Conversation: Five Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

2 Jun 2026 · 25 min · S3 E63

Episode Meaningful Conversation: Five Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

0:00 25:07

"Once caregivers get it, they're like, 'My gosh.' You just have to train yourself to walk around the brick wall to the moment, the now, and the imagination." — Anne Basting

Do you struggle to create meaningful connections with your loved one living with dementia? Almost all of us do. You're not alone — and there are concrete tools you can learn right now to change that.

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we understand how isolating it can feel when conversations stall and connection seems just out of reach. We're sharing five tips for creating intentionally meaningful moments with your loved one, from Anne Basting, founder of the award-winning nonprofit TimeSlips, who has spent 30 years developing and researching creative storytelling approaches for people living with dementia.

Let's explore five essential tips for creating meaningful connections — from believing in your own creativity to turning shared moments into lasting gifts.

Connect with us and share your tips:

• Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/ • Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/ • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/ • Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.org, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.org

Full Show Notes

https://thecaregiversjourney.org/63-meaningful-conversation-five-essential-tips-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney • TimeSlips: https://www.timeslips.org/ • Dementia Friendly America: https://dfamerica.org/timeslips/ • The Caregiver’s Journey Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap: https://roadmap.thecaregiversjourney.org/ Available as an interactive page on our website that walks you through the three stages of your dementia family caregiver journey. Includes the option to download the guide for free.

Takeaways

We shared 5 tips:

• Believe in your own creativity • Forget memory • Open with a beautiful question • Use beautiful listening • Create gifts from the experience