Adaptive interaction is a communication technique developed for caregivers responding to repetitive behaviors in people with advanced dementia. This approach involves mirroring a person’s actions and sounds, and can lead to breakthroughs in social contact between people living with dementia and their caregivers. It helps family members and professional caregivers understand more about what is possible and retained for people with advanced dementia. In practice, if a loved one is counting repeatedly, a caregiver might gently join in the counting rhythm, match their vocal tone, or mirror a related physical gesture — not to reinforce the loop, but to create a moment of felt connection and then guide them into a new activity.