At Kingsley Senior Living, we recognize that living with dementia can be challenging. The family, friends, and even the trained home caregivers often face difficulties while communicating with someone who has dementia. As dementia progresses, communication often becomes more difficult. This is when moving your loved one to a dementia senior living proves invaluable. Here, they live in a specialized environment—one that’s calming and comforting. Practicing effective communication techniques, the professionally trained caregivers can support the dementia-affected residents, better navigate daily challenges, and lead much more fulfilling lives.

While it’s best to move your loved one to a specialized caring setting—specifically, a dementia care community—you can utilize some effective communication techniques to better communicate with them. Here’s a blog covering some of those practical tips.

1. Understand Communication Challenges In Alzheimer’s And Dementia

First things first, understand how dementia affects their communication abilities. The decline isn’t just limited to their cognitive skills but also affects their linguistic skills, as suggested by research. As dementia progresses, a person might struggle with the following communication abilities:

Difficulty In Finding Words And Understanding

Based on the changes occurring in their cognitive functioning, those with dementia often find it hard to find the right words during communication. This then results in them using irrelevant words or being hesitant to speak. They even struggle to understand what someone is saying, which prevents them from having meaningful conversations.

Repetition

It’s common for people with dementia to repeat words and phrases over and over. They forget what they just said or did, so they do or repeat the same thing.

Unpredictable Behavioral Responses

Facing difficulties while conversing with someone may lead to your loved one acting odd at times. They may show frustration, causing increased irritability and even emotional outbursts.

2. Embrace Effective Communication Techniques

Use simple language, a calm tone, and reassuring words. Here’s what you can follow to communicate effectively with a loved one struggling with dementia.

Provide Reassurance

The way you begin your conversation sets the tone for the rest of it. So, practice commencing it with a patient and calm demeanor. Try following the given guidelines to practice effective communication with your loved one:

  • Speak more slowly and clearly.
  • Converse in a moderate tone of voice.
  • Repeat sentences the same way if they don’t understand them the first time.
  • Provide reassurance if they show signs of frustration due to poor communication.

Simplify Your Language

Use plain and clear language. Form short sentences instead of opting for long ones; it helps them grasp what you are trying to say. For instance, when explaining a process, describe it as a series of steps.

Ask Easy Questions

Try framing your questions as choices instead of direct quizzing. For instance, if you want them to engage in an activity, ask if they want to go for a walk or do some light exercise at home.

3. Use Non-Verbal And Visual Cues

These measures are often overlooked by many while trying to converse with someone having dementia. But you don’t have to make that mistake. Use the following techniques to engage in meaningful conversations with your loved one.

First, Read Their Body Language

As mentioned above, at times your loved one might exhibit signs of frustration or discomfort. So, look for the following signs before using any of the nonverbal and visual cues:

  • Furrowed eyebrows or lack of a smile
  • Sighing, humming, or grunting
  • Wandering or pacing
  • Restlessness or fidgeting
  • Changes in posture or walking
  • Unusual gestures

The Non-Verbal Cues To Use

Finding it hard to express their feelings, your loved one might look at your body language to comprehend what you’re trying to express. For this, use the following nonverbal cues to communicate with them effectively:

  • Avoid sitting or standing with crossed arms; get down to their level before conversing.
  • Maintain gentle eye contact to depict presence and attentiveness.
  • Use simple, clear gestures to guide them to what you want to explain or demonstrate.

4. Be Patient And Understanding

Communication is a two-way process. You need to be willing to understand your loved one’s side of things, too, besides letting them know what you want them to know. The following tips will help you do exactly that:

Practice Active Listening

Give your loved one your full attention. Show them that you care for them. Comprehend properly what they are saying and feeling. Give them an equal opportunity to say what they want to converse about. Don’t interrupt while they’re explaining something, even if it’s too slow.

Be Reassuring

In case your loved one uses the wrong word or says something factually incorrect, don’t correct them and progress your conversation. However, there’s an exception to this rule: you need to correct them in case what they say or believe is hazardous to their health.

5. Focus On Their Emotions

Give your loved one the space they need and deserve. Let them open themselves up and validate their emotions and feelings.

Create A Calming Environment

Ensure communication takes place in a calming and distraction-free environment. Minimize as many distractions, noise, and clutter as possible to reduce their sensory overload and help them understand what you’re saying.

Respond To Their Feelings

Even if what they’re saying is wrong or the statement is incorrect, don’t disregard it. Address their feelings and emotions, and try to comprehend their underlying need.

Seek Support

Understandably, you may not be able to serve your loved one’s needs fully. Caregiving for someone with dementia is demanding. To better equip yourself with the required knowledge and expertise, consider joining support groups, seeking counseling, and practicing self-care techniques.

Kingsley Senior Living—Your Dementia Care Expert

At Kingsley Senior Living, we believe in providing compassionate care rooted in professional expertise that we’ve attained over the years. Since our commencement, we have focused on elevating the standard of senior living for all those who trust us for their dementia and senior care services. From personalized care plans to professionally trained staff and socialization opportunities, everything we do supports our vision to bring about a significant change in the lives of those whom we serve.

At Kingsley Senior Living, our team is guided by the values of togetherness, honesty, dignity, and respect as they support residents’ holistic well-being. Some of the top-tier amenities available at our dementia senior living community include a Bistro and restaurant-style open dining, on-site health and wellness, pet-friendly community areas, a salon, and more. With a homelike atmosphere that’s both vibrant and warm, our community is redefining what it means to be a memory care community. Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help your loved one, who is dealing with dementia, enjoy a more comfortable life.