Purpose and Dignity in the Dementia Journey

A diagnosis of dementia can lead to deep emotional shifts. Many individuals, especially in the early stages, grapple with a loss of identity, purpose, and connection.

Yet, one of the most powerful ways to counter these feelings is to share life skills and knowledge—passing on wisdom to younger generations or carers. This not only strengthens legacy but provides meaningful engagement and emotional healing.

As Dementia Australia affirms, maintaining a sense of contribution is vital to mental health in the early stages of cognitive decline. Teaching others—even in small, everyday ways—can reinforce identity, elevate mood, and foster deep intergenerational bonds.

The Psychology of Purpose

Psychological studies consistently show that having a sense of purpose:

• Lowers rates of depression and anxiety
• Promotes cognitive stimulation
• Improves overall quality of life

Individuals with dementia often report feeling “seen” and “valued” when given opportunities to contribute. Tools like Evaheld and the Family Legacy Series help people record and share their experiences as mentors, parents, professionals, and craftspeople—ensuring that their life lessons aren’t lost.

Teaching as Legacy Work

Passing on life skills—whether it's cooking a family recipe, fixing a fence, managing money, or explaining spiritual values—can be an act of emotional healing. It reinforces the person’s continued value within the family and broader community.

Digital legacy platforms like Evaheld Legacy Vault allow individuals to preserve audio, video, or written tutorials.

These might include:

• A favourite knitting technique
• Budgeting tips for grandchildren
• How to tend a garden or repair a household item
• Reflections on parenting or navigating grief

These personal lessons often hold more weight than formal education—because they’re passed down with love.

Integrating Life Teaching into Advance Care Planning

As individuals reflect on what they wish to share, they also clarify what they value most. This process naturally aligns with advance care planning.

Encouraging people to combine story-sharing with the creation of an Advance Health Directive can support families and carers in understanding not just clinical preferences, but emotional, cultural, and spiritual values too.

Guidance from Advance Care Planning Australia reinforces the importance of making planning a deeply personal and values-led process.

For the Sandwich Generation: A Two-Way Legacy

Those in the sandwich generation—caring for both children and ageing parents—can support this legacy-sharing by helping record skills, stories, or tutorials, using platforms like Evaheld or simply a smartphone. This involvement also teaches children about respect, empathy, and the importance of listening to elders.

Articles on Evaheld's blog explore the emotional benefits of involving children and teens in legacy storytelling—an often-overlooked tool for strengthening family resilience.

Tools for Capturing and Teaching Life Skills

Audio/Video Messages

Use secure tools to record personal reflections or instructions. Evaheld Legacy Vault offers protected storage, even after capacity is lost.

Guided Workbooks and Memory Prompts

Use legacy-prompt templates from the Family Legacy Series to help guide what knowledge or values the individual wishes to pass on.

Visual Storytelling

Pair written lessons with photos, objects, or recipes. This approach is especially meaningful for those with mild-to-moderate dementia and still-strong visual memory.

Public Sharing (Optional)

With consent, teaching videos or stories can be shared with wider communities—combatting stigma and honouring the person’s voice, as explored on Online Will Blog.

Supporting Carers and Guardians

When carers and guardians understand what the individual has taught or valued, they are more likely to:

• Provide personalised and respectful care
• Honour the person’s contributions
• Feel emotionally connected to their role

Resources like Nurse Info also highlight how carers can incorporate legacy insights into daily care routines.

Spiritual and Emotional Fulfilment

Sharing life lessons creates a ripple effect—healing emotional wounds, preserving wisdom, and affirming that the person’s legacy will live on.

As noted by Dementia Support Australia, life-affirming practices like this contribute to a greater sense of peace during progression.

Final Thoughts

Teaching life skills is not just an act of kindness—it is a deeply healing process for people living with dementia. It affirms their value, captures their wisdom, and provides a profound sense of purpose that transcends memory loss.

With the right support, tools, and intention, every person can continue to teach, guide, and inspire.