Use these verbal communication tips
Good communication skills are critical to respecting the autonomy of individuals living with dementia and to encouraging them to make their own choices. The following communication techniques are respectful and socially engaging, and they encourage choice:
Maintain eye contact with the person.
Use the person’s name frequently.
Remember the KISSSS.
Keep It Short. Use short words. The fewer the syllables the better.
Simple. Use simple sentences. Avoid combining two questions and/or two instructions into one sentence. For example, asking a person the date, the day of the week, and the month is a complex question. First, ask what day of the week it is. Then ask what month it is. Lastly, ask what the date is.
Slow. Speak slowly and repeat yourself often. Individuals with dementia are slow to process conversations.
Steady. Remain calm and steady. Individuals with dementia often mirror your emotions. If you are in a hurry and talk fast, they will become anxious while trying to keep up with you.
• Be clear and concise in your own language. Use concrete language free of confusing metaphors and comparisons. For example, a person with dementia may interpret the sentence “It is raining cats and dogs” literally by thinking that cats and dogs are falling out of the sky.
• Use yes or no questions. They imply choice and respect autonomy.
• Use yes or no questions to obtain vital information. They are easy for individuals to answer. For example, if you are a social worker, police officer, financial planner, banker, or other concerned person investigating a potential situation of financial abuse, you might ask, “Does John ever ask you to give him large sums of money?”
• Be patient. Give the person time to respond.
• Listen carefully. While the words may be jumbled, important concepts and emotions may be buried in the “gibberish.”
• Avoid excessive correcting. If someone is using a knife while complaining about how dull the “spoon” is, you may not need to jump in and tell her she means “knife” instead of “spoon.”
Avoid arguing. Arguing damages relationships, obstructs respect, and is useless when working with individuals with dementia.
Blessings for Seniors makes it possible for older adults to enjoy the comforts of their own home for as long as possible. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as; Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans’ Home Care program.
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