The theme of this year’s World Alzheimer’s Month is #AskAboutDementia. The aim is to challenge perceptions and encourage people to be more open about dementia, asking questions and learning more. So it’s very appropriate that our first Alzheimer’s Month blog looks at communication – why it matters, and how to do it better.
Good communication is key to living well with dementia. Being able to express yourself is important to sustaining relationships with family and friends, and maintaining your independence.
But the symptoms of dementia can make communication difficult. People living with dementia will often struggle to find the right words, or get distracted and lose their train of thought. It can be harder to express emotions, and sensory issues can make it harder to see, read and hear. Find out more about how dementia can affect communication here.
We spoke to Sarah Taylor, Head of Quality & Development at ADSS, about how making a few simple changes to the way you speak to people living with dementia can make a huge difference.
“I’d say the most important thing is to slow things down,” she says. “That doesn’t just mean speaking more slowly. It also means leaving gaps and breaks where the person living with dementia can have time to process what you’ve said rather than feeling overwhelmed with information.”
Giving yourself plenty of time also means you’ll be better able to tune into each other’s facial expressions and body language. “If you’re communicating face to face, come out from behind your newspaper or iPad and make eye contact,” Sarah says. “Good communication is as much about these silent cues as it is about what’s being said out loud.” Want to know more about how body language can help make communication more effective? Find out here.
That’s particularly true for people living with dementia, who may sometimes have trouble expressing their emotions. “You can see when someone’s upset or distressed, even if they can’t articulate it,” says Sarah. When you’re not able to be together, technology can help. “Video calls can be more helpful for some people living with dementia than phone calls or texts, because you’ve still got that visual element.”
Another challenge for people living with dementia can be following the thread of a conversation. Sometimes, they might say things that don’t seem logical or relevant. But that doesn’t mean they’re not important. “Think about the underlying message,” says Sarah. “If they’re talking a lot about their mother, for example, it might mean they’re looking for that feeling of being cared for. Or it might just be really important to them to share a memory. Knowing that you’re being listened to is a big part of feeling that you’re still valued as a person.”
For many people with dementia, writing things down – or having things written down for them – can be a really useful way of remembering useful information. Again, the key is to keep it simple. Remove unnecessary words and break things down into short paragraphs or bullet points. Avoid jargon – and don’t use abbreviations without explaining what they mean.
Pictures can help too. “When we’re putting together information or presentations for people living with dementia, we always include lots of photos,” says Sarah. “It’s a great way of bringing what we’re saying to life and showing people exactly what we mean without getting too wordy.”
Written reminders can also be useful in the home. “It can be really helpful to have a checklist by the front door to remind someone not to go out without their keys, purse and phone,” says Sarah. “We’ve also got people we’re working with who like to use a whiteboard so they can see at a glance what they’re doing that day or that week. Others feel more comfortable with a paper diary. It’s about understanding that individual and what’s going to work for them which again comes down to good communication.”
Want to know more about writing for people living with dementia? The Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project (DEEP) has a great simple guide.
The NHS has some useful information on how to communicate effectively with people living with dementia. Dementia UK also has practical tips, including on hearing loss and dementia. ADSS has a range of support for people living with dementia and their carers, including a Carers Learning Programme. You can contact ADSS here to find out more about our services.