Communication between family members can be tough as it is, but this only gets more difficult when your loved one develops dementia. Diseases like Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, vascular dementia, Lewy Bodies, and more, are all considered a form of dementia. Dementia is a progressive disorder marked by a slow deterioration of memory, judgment, and almost all other cognitive functions. This makes it harder for your loved one to communicate effectively and perform basic day-to-day tasks. As their dementia gets more serious, it's up to you to create a safe environment for conversation, in order to provide them with the best dementia care in the Montgomery County, PA, area.
Communication Skills
Active Listening: While we should engage in active listening every time we hold a conversation, it’s even more important when dealing with dementia patients. This ensures that your family member feels heard and cared for. If you’re looking to develop your active listening skills, all you have to do is listen with all your senses. Give the speaker your full attention and listen just to listen, not with the intent of getting your turn to speak.
Eye Contact: Every good conversation involves maintaining eye contact. Looking the other person in the eye shows that you’re interested in what he or she has to say. For an elderly family member whose dementia makes them feel uncared for, even a small gesture like this will help to alleviate their anxiety and allow them to be more open with you.
Respectful Conversation: As your loved one’s dementia progresses, you’ll find less and less of the person you used to know in them. Therefore, you have to change your communication style to make them feel more comfortable. Dementia patients usually respond best to slow and clear-spoken sentences, because simple conversation is easy for them to process. Also, avoid being patronizing or overly facetious; they may have a harder time understanding your sense of humor or inside jokes as their condition advances.
Encourage Them: Just like you’re not comfortable expressing your opinion when you’re among strangers, dementia patients find it more and more difficult to be themselves as they forget their environment and family members. You can help lessen their worry by encouraging them to join the conversation whenever possible. Let them speak for themselves and acknowledge their participation through verbal and body language. If they’re finding it hard to communicate, don’t pressure them into responding faster. Let them take their time to think, process, and respond when they feel confident enough to do so.
Body Language
Your loved one’s dementia takes a toll on the whole family. As their condition progresses, it becomes more and more important to give them the care and attention they don’t know they need. For more tips on how to care for your elderly family members who are suffering from such progressive disorders, contact our friendly, helpful team at Brightstar Care for dementia and Alzheimer’s care tips in Montgomery County, PA.