Dementia Communication Strategies

Dementia is a condition affecting more than 7 million seniors aged 65 and older as of 2020, according to the Population Reference Bureau (PRB). They say the trends in dementia are appearing to only grow, with an estimated 12 million being affected by a form of dementia by 2040.

Since dementia affects the brain, many people with it have difficulties communicating. Understanding the complications that can arise in dementia and how to communicate with those with dementia effectively is essential to providing quality care.

Understanding Dementia Communication Challenges

Dementia is a collection of conditions that primarily affect the brain. Its symptoms may include changes in memory, decision-making, speech, learning, and language. It can also affect a person’s spatial awareness and behavior. Because of these symptoms, individuals may have challenges remembering information, recalling common words, understanding social cues, and assessing situations.

When working with someone who has dementia, it’s important to remain adaptive, as communication strategies may need to change as the disease progresses. It’s also important to understand that what works for one person with a specific type of dementia may not work with someone who has a different form.

Strategies For Communicating With Someone With Dementia

Many communication strategies for interacting with a person with dementia are about remaining calm and compassionate. Whether you’re a professional caregiver or assisting an aging loved one, consider these tips for communicating with someone with dementia.

Maintain eye contact to help keep the individual focused and engaged in the conversation.
Limit distractions such as television, music, and other outside noise that can make concentrating difficult.
Speak slowly and clearly so the individual can process what you’re saying.
Remain patient and remember they may need extra time to comprehend and respond.
Keep things simple. Use short sentences and limit the information you provide.
Offer choices to questions. If you ask something, give them options to make decision-making easier.
Use nonverbal cues. Remember, a lot of what you say is communicated through body language.

What To Avoid When Communicating With A Person With Dementia

Communicating, in general, is complicated, which is why it’s a skill people continue to work on and value in all types of environments. Part of proper communication is knowing what to do. Another part of it is understanding what not to do. When it comes to individuals with dementia, it’s helpful to avoid doing the following:

Don’t ask “if they remember.” Dementia affects a person’s memory, so chances are, they may not remember something from earlier that year, week, or day. Instead of reminding them they should know something, take the time to re-explain or re-share information without reminding them they forgot.
Don’t provide too much information at once. It’s helpful to keep a routine, and you may want to share everything you have planned for the day. But instead of overwhelming them with an entire agenda, share only the next thing you will do. Also, remember to use short sentences and make sure you have their attention before giving directions.
Don’t speak down to them. You don’t want to make the individual feel like you’re patronizing them by using high-pitched voices or words you’d typically reserved for speaking with a child. This is known as “elderspeak” and it can be quite diminishing. People with dementia are still adults, and you should maturely communicate with them.

Dementia Care With Visiting Angels

Caring for a loved one with dementia is not something you have to do alone. Visiting Angels Prescott is available for full-time, part-time, or temporary dementia care to ensure your loved one is safe and comfortable at home.

All care plans with Visiting Angels are customized to meet the needs of each client. A few benefits for seniors receiving dementia care with Visiting Angels include:

A calm and stable environment
A steady routine within their home
Companionship to boost their self-esteem
Help with potentially dangerous situations like emotional outbursts
Wandering prevention
Dignified assistance with sensitive tasks like bathing and toileting

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