What communication strategies could be used to remind people with dementia of occasions?

Rethinking your listening and speaking strategies can help you communicate with a person who has dementia.

Communicating with someone who has Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia can be challenging.

A family member or friend with dementia may have difficulty understanding you, and you may have a hard time understanding what he or she is trying to communicate. There's potential for misunderstanding, confusion or frustration in both directions — making communication even more difficult.

You'll need patience, good listening skills and new strategies. Here's help easing your frustration and improving your communication.

What to expect

A person with dementia may have difficulty remembering words or communicating clearly. You might notice patterns in conversations, including:

• Having trouble with finding the right word
• Substituting words
• Describing an object rather than naming it
• Repeating words, stories or questions
• Mixing unrelated ideas or phrases together
• Losing a train of thought
• Speaking less often
• Reverting to a first language

What you can do to help

To improve understanding in both directions:

• Be patient. Take time to listen and allow time for the person with dementia to talk without interruption.
• Learn to interpret. Try to understand what is being said based on the context. If the person is struggling to get an idea out, offer a guess.
• Be connected. Make eye contact while communicating and call the person by name. Hold hands while talking.
• Be aware of your nonverbal cues. Speak calmly. Keep your body language relaxed.
• Offer comfort. If a person with dementia is having trouble communicating, let him or her know it's OK and provide gentle encouragement.
• Show respect. Avoid baby talk and diminutive phrases, such as "good girl." Don't talk about the person as if he or she weren't there.
• Avoid distractions. Limit visual distractions and background noise, such as a TV or radio, that can make it difficult to hear, listen attentively or concentrate.
• Keep it simple. Use short sentences. As the disease progresses, ask questions that require a yes or no answer. Break down requests into single steps.
• Offer choices. Offer choices when making a request for something a person might resist. For example, if someone is reluctant to shower, you might say, "Would you like to take a shower before dinner or after dinner?"
• Use visual cues. Sometimes gestures or other visual cues promote better understanding than words alone. Rather than asking if the person needs to use the toilet, for example, take him or her to the toilet and point to it.
• Avoid criticizing, correcting and arguing. Don't correct mistakes. Avoid arguing when the person says something you disagree with.
• Take breaks. If you're frustrated, take a timeout.

The challenges of communication evolve as the disease progresses. You will likely find that nonverbal communication with your family member or friend — such as touch or the comforting sound of your voice — will become not only important but also meaningful.

March 12, 2021

1. Communication and Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's Association. https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/communications. Accessed May 20, 2019.
2. Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease: Your easy-to-use guide. National Institute on Aging. https://order.nia.nih.gov/publication/caring-for-a-person-with-alzheimers-disease-your-easy-to-use-guide. Accessed May 20, 2019.
3. Mace NL, et al. Characteristic behavioral symptoms in people who have dementia. In: The 36-Hour Day. 6th ed. Baltimore, Md.: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 2017.
4. Graff-Radford J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 21, 2019.

See more In-depth

See also

1. Alzheimer's sleep problems
2. Alzheimer's and daily tasks
3. Alzheimer's: Preserving memories
4. Alzheimer's and long-term care options
5. Alzheimer's and family conflict
6. Alzheimer's and holidays
7. Caregiver stress

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6 ways to Successfully Communicate Non-Verbally with Dementia Residents

Posted on July 17, 2014

Communication is an essential part in enhancing the quality of life, especially for dementia residents. Dementia creates challenges for how people understand what is being communicated to them, along with being able to express themselves to others. This language deterioration is known as aphasia.  Difficulties that arise from not being able to communicate can lead to depression, anxiety, feeling of neglect, loss of personal stimulation and other basic needs of life. In many instances, language skills will vary “day  to day”, and are different for each individual. Trying to accommodate all spectrums of dementia is challenging but by encouraging proper ways of communication, care-takers will be able to provided more valuable care.

We all need to communicate with other people, whether it is non-verbal or verbal. Communication gives us a sense of identity and helps us maintain our quality of life.

Non-verbal communication can be the most effective style of communication to connect with a person who has dementia. This can include facial expressions, touch, and gestures. It is important for family members and caregivers to pay attention to these behaviors, because it will make for a more purposeful relationship.

Here are six tips to effectively communicate with individuals non-verbally, and to help work through the challenges that caregivers and family members often face:

1. Personal Appearance

    Appropriate clothes, hair and body scent can make a person with dementia more relaxed and comfortable with you, because that may remind them of someone they knew.

2. Approach Individuals from the front

   People will become more familiar with you when they feel like they are being respected. By approaching them from the front, you will give them a chance to process who you are and what you are asking.

3. Body Language/ Eye Contact

     A person with dementia will be able to detect your body language, sudden movements which can cause distress on the person and can make it hard to communicate. Demonstrating what is being asked will give the person a visual perception.Respect the person’s personal space but make sure to drop down to eye level, this will allow the individual to feel more comfortable and in control of the situation.

4. Facial Expressions

  Tense facial expressions can also cause distress. Soft facial expressions and smiling will give the person enjoyment.  So remember, something as simple as starting a conversation with a smile can go along way!

5. Touch

     Physical contact will give the person a sense of care and affection. Simply by holding someones hand, rubbing their shoulder or giving them a hug will provide reassurance and comfort.

6. Dance/Music

   Music and dance can spark memories of happy times in a person’s life.Make sure to know what type of music a person enjoyed growing up and allow them to create moments of joy.

Tips: communicating with someone with dementia non-verbally and verbally: http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_inf

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