People with dementia struggle to communicate, and this affects how others communicate with them. In approaching and supporting the person it becomes important to use the opportunity to uphold and promote a person’s well being.

Connecting with the person at any opportunity and when engaging in any care tasks
This can be achieved by making eye contact or talking with/to the person. If the person feels ignored or handled insensitively it could result in the person feeling as though they do not exist as a person but rather as a ‘task’ to be done to. This could lead to ill being.

Talking to the person in a way that is appropriate for their age and status
This can be achieved by addressing the person by the name they prefer to be called and avoiding talking to the person in the way you might talk to a child. When a person is having difficulties with everyday tasks it is important to remember that the person is not a child and language/ tone of voice need to reflect this to promote the person’s sense of identity and dignity. For example ‘You are a good boy’ when said to a 75 year old man with dementia who has washed and dressed could lead to him feeling belittled or ridiculed.

Talking calmly and with empathy when a person with dementia is having difficulties
This can be achieved by allowing for a relaxed pace with both speech and actions when communicating with the person and allowing a person to express how they are feeling which will help to validate feelings.
If a person is shouted at or blamed when struggling with tasks this will lead to ill being.

Further learning resources «» Next