Communication and engagement with people living with dementia
It is a basic human need to be able to express yourself and be understood by other people.
But for people with dementia, communication can become harder. They might:
- have trouble finding words, or say a related one instead of the one they mean
- speak fluently but not make sense
- have difficulty expressing their emotions
- find reading and writing harder
- ignore conversations or respond inappropriately
- get frustrated with themselves and the people around them.
Dementia affects people in different ways. Changes in communication are common and as dementia progresses, communication can become increasingly difficult which can be frustrating and upsetting. Communicating in a person-centered way is critical.
As a care worker, good communication practice and meaningful engagement are critical in delivering quality dementia care. It’s the small things that make the most difference; the difference between someone feeling distressed, anxious, and agitated, or feeling confident, at ease, trusting those around them and continuing to have a purposeful and dignified life.
It’s important to think about how we’re communicating, not just what we’re saying but how we’re saying it, what words we’re using, how body language might be interpreted, what else is happening in the environment and what might affect how communication is perceived.
There are many communication strategies that can be implemented into everyday life and make a significant difference in the life of a person living with dementia.
- Consider verbal language – the words, tone and pace you are using
- Consider body language – facial expressions, posture and intrusion on personal space
- Consider the environment – background noise, conflicting acitivies, group setting
- Understand the story of the person living with dementia – who are they, what do they like, what do you know about their story?
What are things to avoid in communicating with people living with dementia?
- Don’t assume what they can or can’t understand.
- Don’t be distracted. Put down your phone or something that is competing for your attention.
- Don’t contradict them, avoid arguing with them.
- Don’t ask for a detailed memory response or insist on them trying to remember recent events.
- Don’t order the person to do something. Make suggestions instead.
Teaching professional carers to deliver excellent dementia care practice means that they need to have a good understanding of the impact of dementia on the person, and how best to communicate with the person living with dementia. With good communication skills dementia care is improved which positively impacts on the quality of life of the person living with dementia.
When you communicate with someone living with dementia with a personal and compassionate approach, you support them to become more engaged.
When residents living with dementia are meaningfully engaged in activities that support their strengths and goals, they may exhibit fewer changed behaviours. Dementia affects people in different ways and changes in the behaviour or emotional state of a person living with dementia are common.
Talk with Ted: Dementia Communication Simulation
To enhance communication practice and practice how to talk to someone living with dementia, care workers can participate in Dementia Australia's Talk with Ted course that includes Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Talk with Ted is a realistic dementia communication simulator that provides a safe and effective way for staff to practice dementia communication skills.
Talk with Ted uses AI technology to provide an online simulation of a typical communication experience between a care worker and someone living with dementia. Talk with Ted can be explored as an online simulation or a group workshop.
The tool allows workers to practice their communication skills in a safe environment, where they can learn from their mistakes and improve their practice.
Rather than telling care workers what good principals of communication are for a person living with dementia, they experience the principals of good communication firsthand through trial and error in a virtual conversation with Ted.
Ted, the AI Avatar, is living with dementia and has the capability to convey a range of emotions, audio sounds and attempts at conversations to communicate his current state of mind, providing users with the opportunity to engage in a conversation similar to engaging with a real person living with dementia.
Ted can convey a range of emotions, audio sounds and attempts at conversations to communicate his state of mind. It provides users with the opportunity to engage in a conversation similar to engaging with a real person living with dementia and gives them the chance to learn how to respectfully and effectively communicate.
What is the 24/7 National Dementia Helpline?
The National Dementia Helpline is here for anyone who is impacted by dementia.
Anyone who works in the health, aged, disability and community care industry can call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 for information on how to best support people living with dementia. Expert helpline advisers can provide free and confidential advice including how to best navigate caring for and communicating with someone living with dementia.
The National Dementia Helpline is here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Contact 1800 100 500 or visit https://www.dementia.org.au/get-support/national-dementia-helpline for email and live chat options.
