If you are looking after someone with dementia, here at Bluebird Care Bradford, we know that communication challenges are likely to be a big issue. Below are some tips on communicating with a person who has dementia. They may also be useful to pass on to relatives who are visiting may also be looking for guidance on how to talk to the person with dementia.
Dementia is an illness that is progressive and as time goes by, it will affect a person's ability to remember and understand basic everyday facts, such as names, dates and places and it will also gradually affect the way they communicate.
The NHS recommends that if you are looking after a person with dementia, you may find that as the illness progresses, you'll probably have to start taking the lead and starting discussions to get the person to make conversation. Their ability to process information gets progressively weaker and their responses can become delayed.
It may help to start conversations with the person you're looking after or spending time with, especially if you notice that they're starting fewer conversations themselves and it always helps if you make a conscious effort to speak clearly and slowly, using short sentences and making eye contact with the person, both when you are speaking and when they're talking or asking questions.
Be patient and give them time to respond. Don’t put them in a position where they feel pressured or where you’re trying to speed up their answers or answer for them. Instead, let them speak for themselves during discussions concerning their welfare or health and any treatments or actions that may result and try to encourage them to join in conversations with others, not just you, when there are people around.
Don't question or ridicule what they say. Take care to acknowledge what they have said. They might not have answered your question and what they’ve said might seem unconnected with the flow of the conversation. But concentrate on showing them that you've heard and encourage them to say more and add to their answer.
Avoid providing options but instead provide simple choices, simple language and short sentences. If they don’t immediately understand, try gently rephrasing your question. But, again, don’t hurry or harass them.
The more time you spend speaking to them, the better you will understand them and, if they are having trouble communicating, your time and patience may allow you to spot the meaning behind their words.
Don't challenge their memories. For example, don’t ask them about what they have been doing recently. But, also, avoid getting into arguments about what they’ve said, even if you think they are wrong. Tripping them up or correcting them may cause confusion or distress. Listen and acknowledge what they have said.
If you are spending time with them, you can help them to create a memory book, full of photos of special times, like holidays, weddings and birthdays. This will help them to remember, but will also give any professional carers or health workers something to understand them by and a shared topic of conversation.
Bluebird Care Bradford
We provide Home Care, Night Care, Live-in Care and a range of other support in the Bradford area, including Bingley, Cullingworth, Harden, Wilsden, Cottingley, Denholme and Gilstead
