Understanding Dementia
Caring for a loved one with dementia poses many challenges for families and caregivers. People with dementia from conditions such as Alzheimer’s and related diseases have a progressive biological brain disorder that makes it more and more difficult for them to remember things, think clearly, communicate with others, and take care of themselves. In addition, dementia can cause mood swings and even change a person’s personality and behaviour. This fact sheet provides some practical strategies for dealing with the troubling behaviour problems and communication difficulties often encountered when caring for a person with dementia.
BEFORE YOU SPEAKHOW TO SPEAKWHAT TO SAYLISTENINGBODY LANGUAGE
- Make sure you’re in a good place to talk – quiet, with good lighting and without too many distractions (eg no radio or TV on in the background).
- Get the person’s full attention before you start.
- Position yourself where the person can see you as clearly as possible (eg with your face well-lit) and try to be on the same level as the person, rather than standing over them.
- Sit close to the person (although not so close you are in their personal space) and make eye contact.
- Make sure your body language is open and relaxed.
- Speak clearly and calmly.
- Speak at a slightly slower pace, and allow time between sentences for the person to process the information and respond. This might seem like an uncomfortable pause to you, but it is important for helping the person to communicate.
- Avoid speaking sharply or raising your voice.
- Use short, simple sentences.
- Try to communicate with the person in a conversational way, not question after question (it can feel like an interrogation).
- Don’t talk about the person as if they are not there or talk to them as you would to a young child – be patient and have respect for them.
- Try to avoid asking too many questions, or complicated questions. People with dementia can become frustrated or withdrawn if they can’t find the answer.
- Try to stick to one idea at a time. Giving someone a choice is important, but too many options can be confusing and frustrating.
- If the person is finding it hard to understand, consider breaking down what you’re saying into smaller chunks so that it is more manageable.
- Ask questions one at a time, and phrase them in a way that allows for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer (eg rather than asking someone what they would like to do, ask if they would like to go for a walk) or in a way that gives the person a choice (eg ‘would you like tea or coffee?’).
- Rephrase rather than repeat, if the person doesn’t understand what you’re saying. Use non-verbal communication to help (eg pointing at a picture of someone you are talking about).
- Listen carefully to what the person is saying, and offer encouragement.
- If you haven’t understood fully, rephrase what you have understood and check to see if you are right. The person’s reaction and body language can be a good indicator of what they’ve understood and how they feel.
- If the person with dementia has difficulty finding the right word or finishing a sentence, ask them to explain it in a different way. Listen out for clues. Also pay attention to their body language. The expression on their face and the way they hold themselves can give you clear signals about how they are feeling.
- Allow the person plenty of time to respond – it may take them longer to process the information and work out their response. Don’t interrupt the person as it can break the pattern of communication.
- If a person is feeling sad, let them express their feelings. Do not dismiss a person’s worries – sometimes the best thing to do is just listen, and show that you are there.
- Non-verbal communication is very important for people with dementia, and as their condition progresses it will become one of the main ways the person communicates. You should learn to recognize what a person is communicating through their body language and support them to remain engaged and contribute to their quality of life.
- A person with dementia will be able to read your body language. Sudden movements or a tense facial expression may cause upset or distress, and can make communication more difficult.
- Make sure that your body language and facial expression match what you are saying.
- Never stand too close to someone or stand over them to communicate – it can feel intimidating. Instead, respect the person’s personal space and drop to or below their eye level. This will help the person to feel more in control of the situation.
- Use physical contact to communicate your interest and to provide reassurance – don’t underestimate the reassurance you can give by holding the person’s hand or putting your arm around them, if it feels appropriate.
Please make sure to speak with your nurse or doctor regarding personalized tools you can use to provide care to your loved one with dementia
Resource:
Society, Alzheimer’s. “Communicating and Language.” Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Society, 28 Nov. 2016, www.alzheimers.org.uk/info/20064/symptoms/90/communicating_and_language/3.
