Overcoming communication challenges

Finding the right words

Good communication is key to living well with dementia. Self-expression is important to sustaining relationships with family and friends, and maintaining independence. But the symptoms of dementia can make communication difficult.

People with dementia will often struggle to find the right words or get distracted and lose their train of thought. It can be harder to express emotions, and sensory issues can make it harder to see, read and hear. These difficulties can have wide-ranging emotional, social and practical consequences, such as:

• A person with dementia may become frustrated, anxious or agitated when they cannot find the right words or understand what others are saying. They may use other terminology to express their feelings or needs which can lead to emotional distress.

• As they find it harder to speak or understand others, they may stop participating in conversations or social activities. Friends and family may also pull away, unsure of how to connect. This loss of interaction contributes to loneliness and depression.

• Providing care can become more challenging. A person with dementia may find it harder to express conditions or needs such as hunger, pain or discomfort, increasing the requirement for specialist support.

• Inability to communicate effectively can result in frustration or distress, sometimes leading to aggression or resistance to care. These challenging behaviours are often a form of communication, expressing unmet needs or confusion.

• When a loved one cannot express themselves, it can be emotionally draining and lead to frustration or burnout for their carer. Miscommunication can also complicate care decisions and safety.

Practical advice and tips

Improving communication strategies, such as using simple language, visual cues, patience and reassurance, can enhance understanding and quality of life for both the person with dementia and their caregivers.

Here are ten tips:

1. Keep sentences short. Don’t give too much information or use unnecessary words or jargon.

2. Present one piece of information at a time, in a logical order.

3. Keep language simple, without being patronising. Always remember that you are communicating with an adult.

4. Be patient. Don’t rush the person with dementia, or answer for them. Give them time to understand and respond at their own pace. Leave gaps so they can have time to process what’s being said.

5. Give the person your full attention. Maintain eye contact and stay focused. Tune into their facial expressions and body language: silent cues can be as important as what’s being said out loud.

6. Act out what you’re saying, using gestures, body language and facial expressions to help the person connect and provide context for what you’re saying.

7. Give reassurance if they are communicating emotions that appear to be distressing, either through gentle touch or telling them they are safe.

8. If what is being said seems illogical or irrelevant, look for an underlying message. That said, sometimes just letting them know you’re listening may be all that’s needed.

9. Use pictures – particularly photographs – to bring information to life and help reinforce messages.

10. Write things down. This can help a person with dementia remember key information – and it can be a good way of communicating too, as a written document can be re-read many times. Again, keep it simple. Remove unnecessary words and break things down into short paragraphs or bullet points. For more advice on writing dementia friendly information, click here.

For more advice, read our blog article: Keep it simple: practical tips for communicating with people living with dementia - link.