5 Tips For Communicating With A Loved One That Has Dementia

When a loved one is in an assisted living facility and is also suffering from dementia, you are going to need to learn to use some new communication techniques. It is important to improve your communication so that you can connect in a positive way. A person with dementia is still a person.

Visit at Strategic Times

Dementia is not the same throughout the day. Many people are more lucid in the early morning, and less lucid in the evenings. If possible, try to visit your loved one in the morning or early afternoon. That will allow you to connect with them when they are most able to connect with you. It is important to remember that on some days, your loved one may be more lucid than on other days. It is really something you have to take a day at a time.

Speak Naturally

Some people fall into the habit of using baby talk when they are talking to someone with dementia. The person you are talking to may have issues with remember things, but they are still a person who knows they are an adult. Don't talk to them in a baby voice or any other condescending tone that talks down to them. Talk in a normal, natural, and calm voice.

Use Names

You need to directly label things when talking to someone with dementia. It may not feel natural but avoid using pronouns when you talk. When telling a story, use everyone's names instead of pronouns. That will help your loved one more clearly follow the story.

Introduce Yourself

When you visit, introduce yourself. When you say hi, say something like, "Hey, it's me, Jeff. I am so glad to see you today Grandma." Identify who you are and what your relationship is to the person who you are speaking to. This will help the person you are visiting place who you are.

It can be a nice touch to great a photo album, labeled with name and relationships, that contain both recent and older pictures, can help your loved one better identify who you are.

Keep Your Conversation Focused

It can be easy to jump around in your conversation. Instead, try to keep your conversation focused on one thing at a time. This will help your loved one better follow and understand what you are talking about. Juggling multiple lines of thought all at once can be difficult, so keep your conversation focused on one thread at a time.

When you are conversing with a loved one with dementia, treat them with respect and don't talk to them like they are a child. Use a calm voice, keep the conversation focus on one topic at a time, actively listen and be patient. Remember, some days will be better than others, it is just important to be present.

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