Understanding and Communicating Through Dementia

Communication is a vital tool that we use every day in our work and personal lives. Whether we realize it or not, every word, action, and body posture communicates something to others. Understanding more clearly how we communicate can make you much better able to understand others, and to make yourself understood.

Working with someone with dementia or memory loss can make clear communication even harder. Here are a dozen tips for you to use to enhance your everyday communication with a friend or loved one suffering from dementia:

Be aware of your Body Language. When we lose verbal communication, often our awareness of nonverbal cues is even greater. People with dementia can sense how you are feeling through your posture, facial expressions, and other body language, maybe even better than through your words. Relax, smile, and shake out your own tensions.

Create a mood. Chat about pleasant things before you ask the person you’re caring for to do something difficult. Laugh, joke, tell a funny story, or simply share something you saw that made you smile. You’ll create a mood that will make your job much easier.

Use touch. Touch the shoulder, arm or hand lightly and casually while you’re talking. This sets a tone of reassuring, non-threatening communication.

Remove distractions. Turn off the TV, radio or move to a quiet location. This will help the person you’re caring for focus on you, and give you a much better chance of communicating clearly.

Make eye contact. Look the person you’re caring for directly in the eye. Remember to smile so the eye contact is pleasant, not threatening. Never approach from behind and startle or frighten someone. Eye contact should be on the same level – sit or squat down if you need to be eye-to-eye.

Speak slowly and clearly. Use short sentences, and clear, one-step directions. Talk slowly, but don’t yell.

To read about the six other tips, visit the FirstLight Family Learning Center, a new free resource for family caregivers.  Just click on “Communication” in the “Caregiver Basics” section.