I’d start with the little things that don’t need much time but give a big sense of stability. Turn off the TV, dim the lights, play a familiar song, put a fresh blanket on the chair. Make a simple list of what needs to happen that day – a quick rundown you can glance at. Then ask the person what feels comfortable, listen for those unspoken clues: a sigh when the kettle whirs, a frown when a chair’s too far. If you’re all set with the basics, you can focus on the conversation instead of worrying that something’s forgotten. And if the mood shifts, just pause for a moment, breathe, and repeat the process. It’s like resetting a thermostat; the room will settle in its own time.

I hear you, and I’ve learned that a little shadow can help people feel safe if it’s not a blanket that’s too heavy. I keep the room’s surface tidy, but I also have a few quiet cues—like a single dim lamp or a soft scent of lavender—that stay on the edge of perception. It’s a balance between giving them space and letting a subtle thread guide them. I just make sure the thread doesn’t become the anchor itself.