10 Tips For Communication In Dementia

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Recently, an acquaintance asked for tips on communicating with residents who live with dementia. This individual floated to a wing where she rarely works at the nursing home, and she had questions about how to communicate effectively when a resident experiences confusion.

As I spoke with her, I realized that I’ve never specifically addressed this important topic in any of the over 400 articles I’ve posted on my blog. Yet, I should have, because many people struggle with the unique challenges of communicating with people living with dementia.

Today I’m sharing ten communication techniques I’ve found helpful over the years. I would love to see you add your tips in the comment section.

Begin with a positive greeting

Approach the resident from the front to avoid startling them. Position yourself at their eye level, make eye contact, and smile. Remember to introduce yourself; don’t assume they remember who you are.

Watch your own behavior

Even though they might not understand your words, a resident can sense your mood through your tone of voice, facial expression, and body language. So, if you’re feeling stressed, take a deep breath, relax your body, and put a pleasant expression on your face.

Limit distractions

People living with dementia often have more difficulty focusing on a conversation if there’s a lot of activity or noise going on around them. Move to a quieter location if there are distractions in the environment.

Give adequate time to respond

A resident can often come up with a response if given enough time. Resist the temptation to jump in too quickly if they don’t respond right away. Leave a brief pause between sentences, so they have time to process the information.

Use visual cues

If a resident doesn’t understand what you’re saying, try using gestures, or demonstrate what you want them to do. Also, consider using pictures as cues.

Use your normal voice

While it often helps to use shorter sentences, it doesn’t help to talk to a resident in a loud voice as if they’re hard of hearing. It’s also not helpful to talk to them as you might talk to a child.

Try writing notes

I think this is an approach we often forget to try. While it’s not always the case, many residents can still read, and they might understand a written message better than the spoken word.

Never argue 

A resident might say something that you know isn’t true. Arguing with them never helps and usually makes the situation worse. Instead, use validation to provide support. You can learn more about this approach in an excellent article from Aging Care.

Simplify choices

A question such as, “What do you want to wear today?” may feel overwhelming to a resident. Instead, offer limited choices. As an example, you might hold up two blouses and ask, “Do you want to wear your red blouse or your blue blouse?”

Assume they understand

Don’t talk over the resident as if they’re not present. When you’re talking with someone else, always assume the resident can understand you, even if they cannot respond. Otherwise, you might leave the resident feeling unvalued or embarrassed.

I know many of my readers work or volunteer in memory care. Please share your expertise! What other tips can you offer?