It can be challenging to find the right way to communicate with a loved one who has a cognitive impairment like Alzheimer’s, dementia, or Parkinson’s. However, effective communication is crucial to ensure your loved one still feels heard and understood and their preferences and needs are taken into consideration.

Without proper communication, you may not know if your loved one is ill, scared, depressed, or injured. Hiring an in-home caregiver who specializes in providing Alzheimer’s care or dementia care in Southern Arizona can make communication easier. Here are some tips for maintaining healthy communication with a loved one who has a cognitive impairment.

Understanding How Dementia Affects Communication and Cognitive Abilities

It’s important to understand how your loved one’s ability to think, learn, remember, make decisions, and use judgment are affected by their cognitive impairment. You should also regularly consult with your loved one’s physician to assess their level of cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer’s, dementia, or Parkinson’s can cause:

Trouble finding the right word to use to convey what they mean
Substituting one word for another
Describing an object rather than using its name
Repeating words, phrases, questions, or stories
Using a combination of words and phrases that don’t seem related
Losing their train of thought or trailing off when speaking
Not speaking as often
Reverting to their first language more often

Communicating Effectively With a Loved One With Dementia

Knowing how to communicate effectively with your loved one will improve your relationship, ensure your loved one gets the care they need, and improve your loved one’s mental health and comfort. Here are some tips for communicating with a loved one who has dementia, Alzheimer’s, or another type of cognitive impairment:

Stay patient – Though you may feel impatient when trying to understand your loved one, it’s important to not let them sense your impatience. Stay calm, take your time, and listen carefully. Give your loved one plenty of time to respond and don’t interrupt them or act frustrated.

Try to find ways to interpret their speech – Do your best to find ways to interpret what your loved one is saying even if they aren’t speaking in full sentences or using appropriate words or phrases. Don’t speak for them, speak over them, or give up. Instead, when they are done speaking, repeat back what you think they were trying to express and ask them if that was correct.

Be familiar with nonverbal cues – Become familiar with your loved one’s nonverbal cues. Look for gestures, eye movements, pointing, and other nonverbal clues to what your loved one is trying to convey.

Maintain eye contact – Try to maintain eye contact with your loved one to maintain a connection during communication. Always call them by their name and treat them with respect.

Demonstrate compassion and empathy – Make sure you are always compassionate and empathetic about your loved one’s struggle. Offer gentle encouragement and don’t interrupt, roll your eyes, raise your voice, or use a rude tone.

Remain respectful – Treat your loved one like an adult. Never speak in a baby voice or use condescending phrases. Do not speak about them to other people while they are present.

Reduce distractions – Try to keep the environment distraction-free. Turn off the TV or radio, and move to a quieter area if you are having trouble understanding your loved one.

Keep it short and simple – Keep questions short and simple. Use simple language and vocabulary. Ask questions that only require a yes or no answer, and break instructions down into simple steps.

Don’t offer too many options – When you’re asking your loved one a question or need to know their preferences, don’t offer too many options. They may not be able to keep all the options straight in their head. Instead, just offer them two options to make their choice easier.

Don’t offer corrections – Do not criticize your loved one or correct their speech. Try to avoid arguments.

Use communication aids when possible – When possible, use communication aids like pictures, gestures, or hand signs.

Tips for Active Listening When Communicating With Someone With Dementia

Using active listening techniques can improve your conversations with your loved one. Active listening is a communication technique where you focus closely on what the person is saying verbally and nonverbally and provide continuous feedback that demonstrates your understanding, such as eye contact, nodding, and paraphrasing what the person said so that you can confirm you understood. Active listening allows you to truly understand rather than just hearing words. Some tips for active listening include:

Reducing distractions so that you can listen carefully
Offer verbal and nonverbal encouragement
Pay attention to body language
Ask your loved one to repeat themselves if you don’t understand something
Rephrase their responses to ensure you understand what they mean
If your loved one is having trouble finding a word, ask them to explain their thoughts in a different way
If your loved one can’t think of a word for an object, idea, or feeling, ask them to describe it instead

The Importance of Effective Communication for People With Dementia

Better communication between you and your loved one will make it easier for you to meet their needs and ensure their health and happiness. Improving your communication with your loved one will offer these benefits:

Help your loved one maintain their dignity
Give your loved one the opportunity to retain some independence
Allow your loved one to more easily express their needs
Help your loved one understand their environment
Make it easier for your loved one to discuss their physical and mental health
Help you facilitate communication between your loved one and their caregiver
Improve your loved one’s self-esteem by helping them preserve their sense of self
Reducing your loved one’s frustration and confusion

Involving Your Caregiver in Communication

Hiring an in-home caregiver for Alzheimer’s care or memory care can make it easier to communicate with your loved one. Caregivers have extensive experience communicating with and caring for those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and cognitive impairment. They can offer resources, guidance, and support as you look for ways to improve the communication between you and your loved one.

Schedule a Consultation for In-Home Care for Alzheimer’s or Dementia

At Placita In Home Care, we offer dementia care and Alzheimer’s care in Southern Arizona. Rather than putting your loved one in a care home or assisted living facility, they can remain in the comfort of their own home while they receive specialized care. We offer compassionate, skilled in-home care services, including assistance with the tasks of daily living, memory care, companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and transportation to medical appointments.

We focus on helping those with Alzheimer’s and dementia improve their quality of life and overcome daily challenges, and offer respite for family caregivers. To schedule a consultation for Alzheimer’s care or memory care in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.