Do’s and don’ts for communicating with someone with dementia

Providence Senior's Health Team

If someone you care about has dementia, the challenges of breaking down your communication into simple ideas, concepts or directions can be frustrating. And it’s equally difficult for the person living with a rapidly diminishing ability to understand others and, in turn, be understood.

Dementia describes a decline in mental ability that’s severe enough to disrupt your daily activities. It is a progressive condition that causes changes to the brain that lead to increased forgetfulness and a decreasing ability to think, reason and problem solve. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, which also includes Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease, frontotemporal dementia and mixed dementia.

Learn more about the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and challenges of communicating with someone with the condition from Dr. Maureen Nash at Providence Elder Place in Portland, Oregon. Listen here.

Depending on the severity of their condition, someone with dementia may exhibit any or all of the following characteristics:

Difficulty finding the right words
Describing objects instead of naming them
Reverting to a first language
Easily losing their train of thought
Combining unrelated phrases or ideas in one thought
Relying heavily on gestures over speech
Speaking less often

Here are some strategies to help make communication a two-way conversation you both enjoy.

Find a doctor

The team of specialists at Providence understand that caring for someone with dementia requires a wide range of services to help you meet the changing physical, emotional and mental needs of everyone involved. You can find a Providence geriatric specialist using our provider directory. Or, you can search for a primary care doctor in your area.

Related articles

For people with Alzheimer's, music brings sweet memories

Worried About an Elderly Parent or a Spouse? Nurse Next Door Can Help

Video: HealthBreak | Dementia Dr. Andrea Smith with Providence Montana explains the symptoms

Brain center offers comprehensive dementia care

Future of Health Podcast: Alzheimer’s and dementia with Dr. Maureen Nash

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

About the Author

From how to identify and treat heart diseases to exercise tips to maintain an active lifestyle, the Providence Senior's Health team is committed to providing real-world advice that is hyper-relevant to helping those 65+ find ways stay young at heart
More Content by Providence Senior's Health Team

Welcome to your journey for creating a healthier you

Do’s and don’ts for communicating with someone with dementia

About the Author

Next Article

Do’s and don’ts for communicating with someone with dementia

About the Author

Next Article

Other content in this Stream

Providence is following new international standards to prepare food and drinks appropriately for people with swallowing disorders.

Get in the habit of practicing some back-stretching exercises, and you may be surprised at how much better you feel.

Learn about the importance of caring for your mental health as well as your loved ones’, and how to become a better caregiver by focusing on your own needs.

Learn from Providence how laughter improves both mental and physical health to increase your longevity and quality of life.

Dr. Glen Komatsu: trying to bring the “care” back into health care.

Don’t let age affect your oral health. Learn how to maintain a healthy mouth as you get older, and which oral health problems seniors should know about.

Learn the top 10 health tests seniors need to address issues before they become serious threats to enjoying an active and healthy life.

Learn the different forms of assistance available to help you afford the cost of healthcare if you have limited resources or income.

Seward Area Hospice provides end-of-life compassion, care.

You don’t have to face a lonely holiday season. Use these tips to bring others into your life and brighten up the season.

NAD+ is a naturally-occurring substance that improves cell function and repair. Can it help increase longevity as well?

Learn how personal trainers can help older adults stay healthy and reach their fitness goals with guidance and expert advice.

After you reach 40, it becomes more likely that the normal aging process will introduce new and perhaps surprising health concerns.

A recent study indicates women with higher BMI have a higher risk of getting the disease before age 50.

It's wise to mention to your health care provider the growth of skin tags.

The connection may not seem obvious, but pain in the legs or feet can be a sign of atherosclerosis, commonly known as hardening of the arteries

A healthy diet can be beneficial when it comes to breast cancer treatment and prevention.

Pacific Brain Health Center assists with diagnoses and interventions for patients dealing with memory loss

Clearing up the misconceptions behind this valuable tool for colon cancer detection and prevention.

Women lead busy lives, but that’s not always the reason they don’t get enough sleep.