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Communicating to a Loved One with Dementia

Communicating to a Loved One with Dementia

When communicating with someone who has dementia, consider the following tips:

  • Include Them in the Conversation: Use their name and make eye contact to engage them.
  • Listen and be Patient: Be receptive to what they share. Avoid rushing their response or reacting negatively to their concerns.
  • Adapt your Approach: If they don’t understand you the first time, try using different words. Instead of asking, “What would you like to eat for lunch?” try asking yes or no questions, such as, “Would you like a sandwich for lunch?”
  • Hallucinations, Delusions and Paranoia

    Hallucinations, delusions and paranoia can occur in persons with dementia due to the changes happening in their brain. Paranoia often occurs as memory loss worsens and they become more forgetful.

     

    It is important to inform your physician about these behavioral changes so they can review medications and any other symptoms.

     

    To help manage hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia, consider the following strategies:

    • Distract: Take them to a new environment, turn off the TV or look at photos.
    • Comfort: Try not to react to accusations or argue with what they may be experiencing. Instead, offer a gentle touch or hug to reassure them that they are safe and that you care.

    Understand that a person may have valid reasons for feeling paranoid if they are experiencing elder abuse.

    Symptoms of elder abuse include:

    • Unexplained bruises, burns or scars.
    • Appear neglected with bed sores, poor hygiene, dehydration or underfed.
    • Changes in finances.

    If you notice these changes, contact Adult Protect Services or the police.

  • Agitation and Aggression

    Agitation and aggression in a person with dementia may occur from:

    • Stress, loneliness or depression.
    • Fatigue.
    • Pain, constipation or soiled underwear.
    • Sudden changes in the environment, too much noise or too many people.
    • Feeling a loss of independence or forced into something.
    • A combination of medications.

    To cope with agitation or aggression from dementia, try to:

    • Keep a daily routine.
    • Limit caffeine intake.
    • Schedule time for relaxing activities like listening to soothing music, reading or going for a walk.
    • Create a more peaceful environment with their favorite photos and keepsakes, reduce noise and limit the number of people in the room.

    If aggression continues, talk to your medical provider to discuss possible causes and options.