You are helping Mr. Henderson get ready for the day, but he’s just staring at his toothbrush. You know he can brush his teeth, but today he seems frozen. Instead of grabbing the brush and doing it for him, you use cueing—a gentle prompt that helps his brain bridge the gap between thinking and doing.

What is Cueing?

Cueing (kyoo-ing) is a technique used to prompt or encourage a resident to perform a specific task they are capable of doing but may have forgotten how to start or finish. It involves giving a verbal, visual, or physical signal to guide them. It is a fundamental part of restorative care and is essential when working with residents who have dementia, cognitive impairments, or simply need a little help focusing.

Why Cueing Matters in Your Daily Care

Using cueing preserves a resident’s independence and dignity. When you do a task for a resident that they can do themselves, you contribute to “learned helplessness,” where they lose the ability or desire to care for themselves. By providing cues, you act as a coach rather than a doer, which helps maintain their physical strength and cognitive function for as long as possible.

What You’ll See During Your Shift

You will use cueing constantly during Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) like dressing, eating, and toileting. A resident might be holding a shirt but not putting it on, or sitting at the table with food in front of them but not lifting the fork. Your job is to provide the spark.

“Good morning, Mrs. Lopez. Here is your toothbrush. Go ahead and put the toothpaste on it.”

Or, if verbal cues aren’t working, you might point to the toothpaste (visual cue) or gently guide their hand toward the tube (tactile cue).

Common Pitfall & Pro Tip

⚠️ Pitfall: Rushing in to do the task for the resident because you are short on time. While it’s faster to dress them yourself, it robs them of their chance to succeed.

Pro Tip: Use the “Least Restrictive” approach. Start with verbal cues (“Please lift your arm”). If that doesn’t work, try a visual cue (mimic the motion). Use tactile or physical guidance only as a last resort. Always give them plenty of time to process your request before moving to the next step.

Memory Aid for Cueing

Think of C.U.E. as: Can U Encourage?

Or simply: “Prompt, Don’t Perform.” Remind yourself that your role is to start the engine, not drive the car.

State Test Connection

Expect questions on the CNA exam regarding how to promote resident independence, specifically asking what the nursing assistant should do when a resident is slow to perform a task. The answer is almost always to provide cueing or encouragement, rather than taking over.

Related Care Concepts

Cueing is a primary tool in Restorative Nursing and helps prevent functional decline. It is closely tied to dementia care, where residents often lose “initiative”—they know how to do something but lose the ability to start it. It also connects to range of motion exercises, where you cue residents to move their own limbs rather than moving the limbs for them.

Quick Reference

✓ Key types of cues: Verbal (instructions), Visual (gestures/demonstration), Tactile (touching/pointing) ✓ When to report: If cueing no longer works and a resident suddenly loses the ability to perform a task they used to do (this may indicate a medical change like a stroke or UTI) ✓ Care reminders: • Always face the resident and make eye contact when giving verbal cues • Break tasks into small, simple steps (“Pick up the spoon” vs. “Eat your breakfast”) • Wait 5-10 seconds for a response before repeating or helping • Praise the resident immediately after they complete the step

Bottom line: Cueing is the art of patience. By giving residents the right nudge, you help them maintain their dignity and abilities for as long as possible.