As a home nurse for a person with dementia, you know that many challenges and obstacles may occur. Conditions that stem from dementia, including Alzheimer’s and other brain disorders, can make it more difficult for a patient to think clearly.
Communication is often severely lacking, so patients may need help with caring for themselves or relaying their need for help.
The disease can also result in mood swings out of frustration that lead to changes in behavior. It would affect how you can get through to the patient and how you can help provide for their needs.
Understanding and incorporating some communication strategies to improve your relationship with a dementia patient will help significantly. Here are some communication techniques for effectively conversing with dementia patients for pleasant interactions.
Assess the Situation First
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You must assess your situation and surroundings before you attempt communication techniques. For instance, ensure that your dementia patient is comfortable and the surroundings are quiet and calm.
Look for an opportunity to communicate with the patient when you know it’s a better time of day for them to talk more clearly. You also should also ask yourself questions so you’re prepared for communication, such as:
- How would I feel if I was struggling to communicate?
- If communication was difficult, how would it affect my behavior or mood?
- What communication techniques or discussions had worked with the patient prior?
- What would help the patient communicate more efficiently?
Setting the surroundings for interaction is helpful because it allows your dementia patient to be more calm in a serene and comfortable area. Take care of any medical needs beforehand, such as handling medications, eating meals, dealing with what’s causing adult diaper rash, bathing, washing their hair, brushing it, folding the laundry, washing their dishes, and other tasks that may need attention so that the patient feels refreshed and in a good state for talking with you.
Best Dementia Communication Techniques
Caregivers, home healthcare nurses, and family members who are working on communicating with the patient can use practical skills. Setting up the patient in a comfortable environment is a good start.
Here are some helpful techniques to improve your communication with a dementia patient.
Get the Patient’s Attention
The first obstacle will be getting their attention so that you can speak with them. How do you accomplish this?
It’s most helpful to limit the types of distractions or noise that could draw their attention away from you. Consider taking some more actions, such as shutting the door, closing the curtains, or just positioning yourself directly in front of the patient, at eye-level, to have a discussion.
Have Topics Prepared
Another good idea is to have some ideas for what to talk about. Consider topics that you know help the dementia patient be happy, be it a trip they may have taken and enjoy to discuss or perhaps what may be going on with them.
Look to your surroundings if you need ideas on what you can discuss. Maybe the patient has a pet, grandchildren, children, or other close friends they enjoy talking about.
Keep the Conversation Simple
Using simple words and sentences is going to be helpful. When you ask questions, state them clearly and don’t mumble – the patient will want to hear what you’re asking to answer. Use full names of people or places that you’re talking about rather than using abbreviations or nicknames unless they know the person or place exceptionally well.
Pay Attention to Your Tone and Body Language
Your tone of voice is also an important aspect of your communication. Don’t raise your voice or shout; speak slowly and with a reassuring and calming tone. Being positive and respectful ensures that the patient will respond more favorably.
Your facial expressions and body language also affect how you communicate with a dementia patient. Using your body to touch the patient at an appropriate time, keeping your body open to listening to their responses, and conveying undivided attention with facial expressions can help ensure a joyful communication experience.
Listen Actively and Be Engaged
Engaging in the conversation comes from both sides: talking and listening. You need to listen with patience and understanding.
Take the opportunity to look for cues and the patient’s body language so that you can respond appropriately, calmly, and with encouragement. Listen for the meaning that lies underneath their words and provide reassurance as much as possible.
Break Down Tasks or Activities
Consider breaking tasks down into simple, manageable steps if your communication involves an activity. When you discuss it with your patient, ensure understanding and provide gentle reminders along the way.
Consider the example of setting the table to eat. You may help the patient with setting the plate or remind them where the plate or napkin goes. If you find that these are steps the patient can no longer accomplish independently, make a note of it and ensure that you are there to assist without being bossy or forceful.
Distractions and Redirections
If you notice the patient becoming upset, frustrated, or angry, quickly distract and redirect the conversation as gently as possible. Changing the subject or even moving to another location to change surroundings can help shake the behavior or mood and calm things down again.
For example, if you know that your patient enjoys taking the dog for a walk, quickly assert that it may be time for the dog to go on a walk now. You can acknowledge their feelings and then change the course of the communication, such as, “I’m sorry you’re upset. I can see you’re sad. I think it’s time for Fido to go on a walk in the park now. What do you think?” It can redirect the conversation and change the environment to respond better.
Use Humor and Fond Memories
People with dementia can enjoy laughing with you, so if you have a good sense of humor, you can keep things light and positive. Reminding them of fond memories or funny stories is a great way to get them excited about a conversation.
Many dementia patients can have trouble with short-term memory recall, but something that occurred many years ago is easier to talk about. Try asking some general questions about the past, or if you know of a specific memory the patient enjoys talking about, be sure to bring it up and put a smile on their face.
Don’t Shy Away from Communication
Nurses and caregivers must understand that dementia patients are people just like you who have to deal with a pesky brain disorder that shapes them later in life. Don’t try to control or change the behavior because you’ll probably be resisted and exacerbate the frustration.
Work to accommodate the new behavior as much as possible, and remember that you can change your responses to be more soothing and comforting while providing them with what they need. You can always go to their doctor or healthcare professional with any concerns regarding their actions later, in case of a more underlying medical issue.
People who have dementia can’t always express themselves freely. Offering an understanding ear, a helping hand, and light conversation can help make their days easier. Accommodating the more irrational behavior as best as possible will clear a pathway for more communication and better understanding in the future.
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Written by: Olivia Wolfe
