People living with dementia may experience difficulty communicating and understanding their surroundings. Here are some tips for effective communication.
5 Tips For Communication With Someone Living With Dementia
Remove distractions and give them your undivided attention. Moving to a quiet room or turning off the TV and phones may help.
2. Use their name
Saying their name is comforting and helps keep the conversation personal and friendly.
3. Converse at eye level
Avoid sitting too close to the person – it can feel intimidating. Instead, respect their personal space and try to sit or stand at eye level.
4. Avoid open-ended questions
Avoid open-ended questions and instead offer simple choices such as “would you prefer tea or coffee?”.
5. Be patient
Give the person plenty of time to answer. They are trying their best to let you know what they want or need. Reassure them there is no rush.