Communicating with Persons with Dementia

Communicating with Persons with Dementia

Start a conversation in a positive way.
Be on their level – eye to eye.
Build trust by stating your name and why you are there: “Mrs. Jones, I am Linda. I’m here to play cards with you today.”
Be clear.
Don’t hurry: speak slowly and quietly and give them time to respond.
Use short sentences – one at a time.
Repeat and rephrase as necessary. “Shall we go for a walk?” “Would you like to go outside?”
Use nouns instead of pronouns: “I am going to call Joan.”
Avoid open-ended questions: “What do you want to eat?”
Give choices, but not too many! “Would you like ice cream or Jell-O?”
Don’t use clichés – they may take it literally: “Let’s hop into bed now.”
Use commonly-understood motions: wave good-bye when saying it.
Communicate positive emotions.
Let them think they are helping you. “Will you help me with the
Valentine’s Day decorations? I would like that.”
Be calm and quiet – touch gently.
Use praise and humor – they can read your mood by actions, tone of voice etc. even when they can’t understand the words.
Pay attention.
Watch their body language to interpret their comfort level with touching, activity, etc.
Listen to them – they may use the wrong words but know what they are
talking about, or may use several words to explain: “I need a thing for
water.”
Let them show you or lead you to what they are talking about.