A dementia diagnosis can be devastating for seniors and their loved ones. Dementia is an unpredictable disease that impacts memory but also has other symptoms that can make communication difficult. The mental changes that accompany dementia can impact mood, personality, and overall mental wellness.
Communicating effectively with a loved one with dementia is important no matter what symptoms they’re experiencing. Talking to someone with dementia requires patience and understanding, and often communication improves over time.
Young people may find it especially challenging to communicate with someone with dementia, so it is a good idea to have a conversation with children and teens about the best way to approach communication.
The strategies outlined below can help you learn how to talk to someone with dementia and also help them understand you.
How to Speak to Dementia Seniors in Early Stages
In the early stages of dementia, symptoms may not be particularly apparent in everyday conversation. Seniors may sometimes repeat themselves or feel overwhelmed or confused, but they can still fully participate in everyday discussions.
It’s important to let seniors guide their journey and not make assumptions about their abilities. You should not start treating them differently immediately after a diagnosis. Let them communicate when confused, and work with a caregiver or doctor to recognize the signs that their dementia is progressing.
The disease is present in different ways and affects each person differently so some days will be better than others. Do your best to keep the conversation going and avoid relying on the senior’s caregiver for information rather than asking the loved one in your life directly.
In the early stages of dementia, several subtle but important strategies for communication can help you navigate how to talk to someone with dementia. These tips include:
- Be intentional about listening
- Allow ample time for the person to respond
- Be direct in asking what they are comfortable doing
- Never interrupt
- Rephrase questions if there is a communication block
What’s most important at this stage is that you don’t pull away. It can be overwhelming and frustrating as the symptoms of dementia progress. However, communication is critical, so stick with it and find what works for you.
Communicating in the Middle stage
The middle stage of dementia is when seniors are likely to experience personality changes and bouts of extreme confusion and frustration. Like the early stage of dementia, the middle stage often comes along with good and bad days.
This stage is when talking to someone with dementia can get more complicated, and minor changes in communication style may no longer be enough to keep the conversation going. At this stage, minimizing distractions and creating a quiet space for one-on-one conversation is important.
Other tips that are useful in communicating during this stage include:
- Speak slowly
- Speak clearly
- Offer reassurance
- Ask yes or no questions
- Ask one question at a time
- Give visual cues
If verbal communication seems difficult on a given day, you can try another form of communication, like written notes.
Avoid correcting or getting frustrated when communication isn’t going well. Instead of asking the person to repeat themselves, try to find meaning in what they are saying. You can also repeat the message to confirm what they said.
The middle stage of dementia may only last a few months before progressing, or it may last years. Either way, learning what works and what doesn’t is vital to fostering effective communication. These tips can also help if you ever encounter a stranger with dementia.
Communicating in the Late Stage
The late stage of dementia is easily the most difficult to communicate during. This stage often significantly inhibits the person’s ability to communicate at all. This stage is also when the person is most likely to exhibit significant behavioral changes. Some seniors begin to rely mostly on nonverbal communication and usually require constant care.
At this stage, you should encourage any form of communication, even if it is all non-verbal. If you don’t understand what they are trying to say, experiment with different cues until you understand each other.
Over time, a pattern of nonverbal communication can develop and help significantly with day-to-day care. You can also use things like pictures, smells, and tastes to communicate.
Other tips for communicating in the late stage include:
- Try to understand the feeling behind the nonverbal cues
- Treat the person with respect
- Do not talk down to them
- Do not talk as if they aren’t there
- Be persistent to understand but don’t badger
Talking to someone with dementia can be challenging and frustrating in the late stage. Remember that it’s okay if you don’t always know what to say or do. Your presence and companionship alone can go a long way in bringing comfort to a person with dementia.
Connection Matters to a Loved One with Dementia
No matter what stage of dementia a person is in, communication and connection are important to their overall well-being. Grace and understanding can go a long way in helping everyone navigate the journey. Remember that it can take a while to learn how to talk to someone with dementia and be patient with the loved ones in your life and yourself.
