Communication When a Person Has Dementia

Communication When a Person Has Dementia

Elder Care Insights provides education, guidance and support for older adults and their families. The blog is written by our professional staff at Elder Care Consulting, Elder Care Associates and Senior Moments.

Communicating with a person with memory loss can be challenging, depending on the level of dementia and the part of the brain that is effected.

Recently, I encountered an older gentlemen and his companion in a grocery store. The companion was trying to explain to the individual that it was not Monday, that it was really Sunday. The more she insisted ,the more confused and anxious the older gentleman became.

Here are some tips:

Dementia tends to have its own reality and validating that reality is much more important than trying to aggressively reorient someone. We call them little white lies. They can ease the situation and make the day go so much smoother. Arguing about the day of the week is simply not that important.

Allowing people to make choices, as long as it does not create anxiety, is helpful and respects their independence. When choices are provided, limit it to two. For instance, when dining out, do not expect someone who has dementia to choose from a 5 page menu. Suggest that “the sandwiches look good. Would you like a sandwich or a salad?” Reducing the need for decision making is not reducing autonomy. Rather, it is promoting independence and letting the person be successful.

Gestures sometimes have more meaning than the spoken language. Smiles, nods, handshakes and a pleasant greeting are always welcome. Use the person's first name and do not patronize people with endearments. Honey and sweetheart should be reserved for family members.

If the person has aphasia (inability to express language), asking them to respond to your questions is going to create anxiety. Phrase the question in a simple way and do not ask multiple questions at once. Also, waiting for a response to the question allows time for people to process the information, which avoids stress.

Raising your voice is not helpful, as it may be perceived as yelling. The problem with communication for an individual with dementia has nothing to do with hearing. It has to do with the person's ability to process the information and retrieve the appropriate response.

Be mindful of the tone of your voice. High pitch voices tend not to be heard as clearly in people, especially if they have hearing loss, so lowering your pitch might be helpful.

Lastly, abstract reasoning or the ability to think beyond the actual simple meaning of the spoken word is lost for individuals with dementia. Using sentences that have more than one meaning can create confusion, so keep things simple.

When all else fails, redirect and remember to use humor. This approach is universal.

Lori O'Connor, MSN, APRN is a nationally certified Professional Geriatric Care Manager and a Certified Dementia Specialist with Elder Care Consulting, LLC She owns and manages three companies providing geriatric care management, home support services and an adult day center.

To learn more about our services visit our website www.eldercareconsultingllc.com or call 860-643-9500.