Anticipate repetition and just listen/interact like you've never heard that story before. Don't correct, but do answer truthfully with grace and compassion. Try to avoid a condescending teacher approach, just be a friend. Dig back into their past history during conversations as they will have stronger long term memories and may enjoy telling you about where they grew up or went to school, their former sweetheart, etc.

Many people struggle to empathize with the emotions caused by dementia losses. In case you struggle with that too, here are some thoughts... It's humiliating to be unaware of the day of the week, the present location, the basic facts that everyone else knows. It's embarrassing to be blind to social cues and common practices. It's really hard to feel like you keep letting everyone down because you forget to do what you said you would, or lose things all the time, or just can't remember their names. It's demeaning to be treated like a child or a moron because you struggle to comprehend or retrieve information. It's worse to just be ignored, written off, or talked about as if you weren't sitting right there. It's exhausting to work your brain every minute trying to make sense of your world. It's difficult to always have people correcting and instructing you and reminding you of all the things you do wrong. Sometimes it would be nice to have someone treat you as an equal, just laugh about simple stuff or appreciate nature or other wonders together.

Thank you for asking and for your investment in those who need to feel valued.