Tips for communicating with someone living with dementia
When communicating with someone with dementia, there are many things to consider, and talking isn’t always the most effective method.
Here are some ideas for effective communication:
- Acknowledge what the person has said. Even if they don’t answer your question, express that you’ve heard them and encourage them to say more about their answer.
- Use gestures, movement and facial expressions. Physical signs and body language can convey meaning and get messages across, especially when speaking becomes more difficult. Try and limit distractions and use short sentences.
- Use Humour. Laughing can help to bring you closer together, and may relieve the pressure.
- Become an active listener. Listening is a very important aspect of engaging with someone with dementia. Look for non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and body language.
- Let the person express their feelings. If the person is feeling sad, don’t try and persuade them away from that feeling. Showing you care by just listening is sometimes the best method of communicating. Give them time to talk and answer any questions.
- Use physical contact to provide reassurance. Eye contact is important and holding or patting the person’s hand or putting your arm around them might be all that is needed to let them know you are there for them.
- Use visual clues. Writing your messages down or using objects or pictures to help the person understand could help alleviate a breakdown in communication.
Communication difficulties can be frustrating and upsetting for people with dementia as well as their carers and loved ones. Active listening, non-verbal communication, visual props and laughter are just a few ways to help alleviate some of the tensions you may experience when engaging with those living with dementia.
Dementia Support
At Unique Senior Care we have trained Dementia Champions in each region, who can support clients and their families who have dementia. To find out more about our Dementia services click here.
Jayne is a highly experienced dementia care specialist with over 17 years in the field. She began her career in 2004, progressing through roles such as hourly visiting carer, coordinator in the live-in care department, and lead dementia trainer. Jayne completed Specialist Practice in Dementia (Mental Health) at Worcester University and has developed bespoke dementia training for managers, carers, and family members.
Recognised for her contributions, Jayne received the National Dementia Care Personality award at the Great British Care Awards 2012. She has also been a speaker at numerous conferences and reviewed dementia-related publications.
Now with Unique Senior Care, Jayne works as a recruitment consultant, recruiting carers both in the UK and overseas, contributing to dementia training for both staff and families. Jayne’s dedication to compassionate, person-centred dementia care is evident in her extensive experience and numerous achievements.
