20 Questions to Start Conversations for Caregivers

Caregiving truly is a work of heart. You’re a caregiver because you want to help someone in need and help them live their best lives. You know that your time with them matters.

As a caregiver, you are present in a person’s life at their most vulnerable. When we are at this point, all any of us hope for is to be heard and treated with dignity. Even though each day can be filled with accomplishing tasks necessary to their physical wellbeing: bathing, grooming, dressing, helping with meals, shopping, running errands, and so much more, the emotional support a caregiver provides by engaging with someone is invaluable.

Having conversations and creating connections leads to better emotional and mental outcomes. Whether you’re caring for someone dealing with dementia or other conditions, the person in your care receives important benefits from these connections, including improved mood, higher confidence, and reduced depression.

Having conversations will allow you to learn new things about your persons’ life and their point of view-so many people wish that they had had these conversations, but it’s too late. For some people, conversations come easily, but others may need a starting point. This list of questions and conversation starters is meant to be thoughtful and trigger memories.

The sharing of life lessons and insights can be a profound experience for both of you.

1. If you could tell your younger self something you know now, what would you say?
2. What is your most vivid childhood memory?
3. Describe the place where you lived as a child.
4. Who were the most important people to you as a child?
5. Who was your best friend, and why?
6. If your life had a slogan, what would it be?
7. Did you travel much? Tell me about some favorite places you’ve been and what you like about them.
8. What do you find challenging right now? How can I support you through it?
9. What was your favorite subject in school? Why?
10. If you had to spend $1 million dollars tomorrow, what would you spend it on?
11. Did you have a pet as a child?
12. If you could go back to school again, what would you study?
13. Did you memorize anything, such as a poem, for school?
14. If you could tell your younger self something you know now, what would you say?
15. Describe one of those times you feel you succeeded in something.
16. Have you lost anyone special to you? If so, would you like to tell me about them?
17. What was your role in the family? (Were you the brain? Were you the athlete?)
18. Do you have any fears? Have you ever had a fear that you overcame?
19. What do you miss about ‘the good ol’ days’? What do you love about life right now?
20. What makes you feel loved?