How to talk to someone living with dementia
Slow down, validate their feelings, use their name, and avoid correcting them to make communication easier and kinder.
Dementia affects memory and language, making it hard for people to find words or follow conversations. Communicating with someone with dementia is fundamentally about showing respect and being clear, which works for anyone.
Choose a quiet space and give the person your full attention. Remove distractions like noise and your phone.
When someone says something confused, resist the urge to correct them. Instead, focus on what they're feeling.
If they ask for someone who is gone, acknowledge the emotion: I know you miss them. Use their name, introduce yourself and remind them how you know each other.
When they search for words, slow down and give them time to answer. Reminiscing through photos or music helps them feel connected to their past.
Touch can comfort and redirect conversation. Dementia is progressive and will worsen over time, but symptoms shift depending on the time of day and how the person is feeling.
Why it mattersBetter communication eases loneliness and distress for people living with dementia and makes caregiving less frustrating for families.
AustraliaHelps Australian families and carers support loved ones with dementia more effectively, reducing both isolation and the stress of misunderstanding.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 15 h ago
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