A diagnosis of dementia can make a huge impact on the life of the individual and their family. It will affect many aspects of their lives. One of the most upsetting and frustrating aspects of this condition are the changes and deterioration in the individual’s communication. The most common changes in communication are:
- They can’t remember what has been said / asked
- They no longer start conversations
- They get confused and may become distressed when asked to make decisions or choices
- They say the same thing again and again
- They can’t find the right words, particularly the names of objects and people
- They lose their place in conversation
- Not understanding what is said and they may take a long time to respond
Below are some strategies to assist in communicating with individuals with dementia: