Week 7 (Communication Strategies in Dementia)

MESSAGE for communication in people with dementia

- Maximise attention

- Note your Expressions and body language

- Keep it Simple

- Support their conversation

- Assist with visual Aids

- Get their message

- Encourage & Engage in communication

Maximising attention

- Attract attention by addressing them by their name, establishing and maintaining eye contact

- Avoiding distractions (e.g. TV / radio)

- Holding one conversation at a time

Expression and body language

- Keeping the expression, body language, and tone of voice relaxed and calm

- Using body language to show interest (i.e. learning forwards & nodding appropriately)

Simple language

- Keeping sentences short, simple and familiar (i.e. no jargon)

- Giving them clear choices (or yes/no questions)

Note: talk to them at their level

Supporting their conversation

- Giving them time to find their words

- Help them find the word "do you mean ..."

- Repeating then rephrasing sentences to help them understand

- Clearly mentioning the topic through the conversation (e.g. at start or after interruptions)

Assisting with Aids

- Using gestures (pointing / actions)

- Referencing objects & pictures (or words if they can read) to initiate conversations

Getting their message

- Listening, watching and working out their message

- Observing behaviour and nonverbal messages (e.g. where they're looking)

Encouraging & Engaging in communication

- Engaging them with familiar / interesting objects e.g. photos or memorabilia

- Encouraging family & friends to engage them in conversation whenever possible

- Don't "test" them as it would frustrate them further (acknowledge their feelings and try to gently move to another topic)