Motivational Interviewing (MI) is particularly valuable for dementia when ambivalence about change is blocking recovery.
Ambivalence in Dementia
People with dementia are often ambivalent about change — part wants relief, part fears the unknown of being without familiar dementia patterns. This is normal, not resistance.
How MI Addresses Dementia Ambivalence
MI uses specific techniques to help people explore and resolve their ambivalence about dementia treatment:
- Reflective listening: Hearing and naming both sides of dementia ambivalence
- Decisional balance: Exploring pros and cons of changing vs. staying the same with dementia
- Evoking change talk: Drawing out the person's own reasons for addressing dementia
- Affirming strengths: Highlighting past capacities relevant to dementia recovery
MI in Dementia Treatment Settings
MI is integrated into many dementia treatment approaches as an engagement tool. It's particularly useful at the beginning of treatment and when motivation fluctuates.