Sunday, 22 October 2023

Caring and Compassionate Techniques for Effective Dementia Communication

Words make up only a small portion, just 7%, of our communication. The majority of our message is conveyed through body language and the tone of our voice.

This becomes even more crucial when interacting with someone with dementia. While they may struggle to comprehend your words, they can still grasp the non-verbal cues you emit.

Therefore, the way you communicate, with empathy and patience, is vital when you are caring for or spending time with a person living with dementia.

Adapting your communication style is a way of showing empathy and understanding, especially when you are dealing with a loved one you've known for a lifetime. Progressive memory loss can make it difficult for them to organise their thoughts, and recent memory loss often blurs the lines between the past and present, leading to confusion. Your communication style can help ease the stress and frustration experienced by someone with dementia in such situations.

Let's first explore the general dos and dont's of communicating with someone who has dementia.

What Not to Do When Communicating with Someone with Dementia:

• Speak over loud background noise like the TV or radio.
• Communicate when you are out of their line of sight.
• Ask multiple questions in quick succession.
• Use negative body language or a condescending tone of voice.
• Argue or raise your voice.
• Talk about the person as if they aren't present.

What You Should Do When Communicating with Someone with Dementia:

• Remain calm and speak in a gentle, matter-of-fact manner.
• Use a respectful tone of voice.
• Try to maintain eye contact.
• Focus on one idea or question at a time.
• Phrase questions for simple yes or no responses.
• Allow plenty of time for the person to process what you've said.
• Provide context by mentioning places and people.
• Use body language, hand gestures, and facial expressions to convey your message.
• Demonstrate activities you'd like the person to engage in.
• Emphasise what the person can do rather than what they can't.
• Use gentle touch on the person's hand or shoulder if appropriate.

Inconsistent routines and communication styles among family and caregivers can also create confusion, so strive for as much consistency as possible.

Three Compassionate Communication Techniques to Try:

1. Reality Orientation Suitable for alleviating disorientation and confusion.

• Use a reality board to bring the person back to their present reality.
• Write important information such as the date, day of the week, and upcoming activities on a whiteboard.
• Gently reorient the person by drawing their attention to these details when they become disoriented.

2. Validation Therapy Suitable for building trust and a sense of security.

• Acknowledge and enter into the person's perceived reality, reducing conflict.
• Listen and ask questions to validate their thoughts, especially in cases of substantial short-term memory loss.

3. Reminiscence Therapy Suitable for reducing stress and building strong emotional bonds.

• Engage in activities that involve reminiscing about the past.
• Tailor the approach to the individual's life experiences and interests.
• Common tactics include looking through photo albums, creating scrapbooks, discussing sentimental items, and enjoying familiar songs.

Positive communication with someone who has dementia is not just about individual interactions; it's also about fostering dementia-friendly communities that recognise the benefits of a community-wide approach. In doing so, we can help maintain the dignity and quality of life for those living with dementia.

If you need assistance with implementing these techniques or if you're looking for professional Home Care services for your elderly loved one, don't hesitate to reach out to Golden Home Care.

Our dedicated team is here to provide the support and care your loved one needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help enhance their quality of life and maintain the bond you share. Your loved one's well-being is our top priority.

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