Verbal and non-verbal communication tips for dementia caregivers

“A 68 year old lady who is diagnosed with dementia has difficulty expressing herself as she cannot find words to do so. She has slowly lost her ability to express ideas and along with it there has been a significant change in her personality. She speaks less and has withdrawn socially. The inability to express her anger and resolve the matter keeps her agitated all the time. She refuses to talk to anybody and yells at anyone who tries to approach her. She says nobody is ready to understand what she has been going through all this while.”

Care givers dealing with people with such an illness need to be careful and aware while communicating, in both verbal and non- verbal communication. It is essential for care givers to understand the importance of non-verbal communication. According to research, people with dementia receive over 93% of their information about the world through non-verbal gestures. We have put together some tips to keep in mind while communicating with someone with dementia –

Verbal 

• Say the individual’s name and identify yourself
• Refer to people by their names
• Speak clearly and slowly
• Speak with warmth and positivity
• Simplify the words and make statements instead of asking questions
• Talk to the individual as an adult, not a child
• Answer questions in a calm and reassuring manner
• Offer a guess when the person uses the wrong word or cannot find the word
• Encourage the person when they are facing trouble expressing themselves
• Move at the pace of the person that is according to their time and place

Non-verbal

• Make and maintain eye contact while having a conversation
• Have a pleasant look on your face
• Observe the actions of the person and listen to the words carefully
• Do not stand directly over the top of the person and bend down to their level so that they do not have difficulty in looking up
• Avoid body language which conveys frustration, anger or in a rush
• Watch for signs of frustration , anger, fear and act accordingly
• Physical touch, a hug or a handshake, is very important

Effective communication can make a difference and give your loved ones the much needed assurance and ensure their overall wellbeing. After all, it is not the person but the disease which is difficult.

———–

We at Samvedna Care aim to help seniors live happy, active and independent lives, in the comfort of their home and community through interactive caregiving.

Samvedna Care was established in October 2013 with two complementary goals – firstly to provide quality home care services to seniors with limited mobility and social interaction due to various constraints, and secondly to facilitate stimulating community interaction and participation.

Our Dementia Care services are –