Useful Information
10 Tips For Best Communication With People Who Have Dementia
- Always approach the person from the front – this allows the person with dementia to make use of all their senses
- Position yourself at their eye level – by this gesture you indirectly show the person respect
- Wait until the person looks up before talking – this allows the person the time needed to tune into you and to be ready to receive information from you
- Lean towards the person when communicating – this builds trust and shows the person you are 100% there for them
- Listen for the feelings and the needs behind the words – the person with dementia communicates at a deeper, symbolic and emotional level
- Ask who? what? where? when? how? questions – these are all questions which help to validate the person’s experiences and thoughts
- Never ask why? – this question is too abstract and will often make the person anxious, agitated, or maybe even angry
- Avoid words such as: should, must, ought to, don’t and no – these words all belong to the language of the ‘parent’ talking down to the ‘child’ and will most likely create an angry, aggressive reaction
- Never ask: do you remember? – it is amazing how much the person with dementia forgets when we ask: do you remember!
- Repeat their key word if you don’t understand – simply repeat the key word with an upward, questioning inflection
Starting and ending a visit to people with Dementia
Starting a visit
- Come with a sense of humour
- Have realistic expectations
- Tell him/her who you are. "Hello Dad, I'm Sue" Rather than "Do you know who I am?"
During a visit
- If happy, laugh together
- If sad, acknowledge the feeling and move on
- If lost, orientate them to who and where they are
- If playful, play with them
- If sleepy, they are probably content
Ending a visit
- Develop an end of visit routine
- Say good-bye at the door, like they used to at home
- Ask staff to divert your loved one
- Leave at a meal time, morning or afternoon tea time
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