1. Communication &
Dementia
Claire M. Henry, M.Ed.,CDP

2. Communication &
Dementia

3. Early Stage (aware)
Able to maintain conversations
Frequent requests for clarification
May have difficulty understanding humor,
analogies, sarcasm, abstract expressions
 May fail to initiate conversation
 Drifts from topic; vague
 Word fluency and word finding
compromised.
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4. Middle Stage (Less
Aware)
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Poor topic maintenance
Know when to talk
Responds to questions
Frequently repeats ideas
Talks about past events
Diminished vocabulary
Some difficulty with comprehension

5. Late Stages (Unaware)
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Difficulty maintaining eye contact
Output may be meaningless or bizarre
Fewer words
Few related ideas
Mutism in final stage

6. Guidelines for
Communication
 For many with cognitive impairment their
word finding ability has deteriorated to
such an extent that their ability to find
words becomes extremely frustrating as
the disease progresses, caregivers need
to become increasing sensitive to the
communication needs of the dementia
individual.

7. Guidelines for
Communication
 Nonverbal communication impacts how
the caregiver is going to communicate to
the person with dementia who begins to
have difficulty processing language, i.e.
body language, voice tone and facial
expression. Understanding,
communication approaches with the
dementia person, with clear
communication.

8. Guidelines for
communication
 1. Ask one question at a time
 2. Allow enough time for a response
 3. Assume the resident is able to
respond.
 4. Avoid disagreement: never argue with
a dementia resident.
 Avoid trite phrases

9. Guidelines for
Communication
 6. Apologize if you upset the resident
 7. Use residents preferred name at all
times
 8. Include the resident’s in your
conversations
 9. Speak to residents like adults
 10 Use encouragement, reassurance
and praise.

10. Guidelines for
Communication
 6. Apologize if you upset the resident
 7. Use residents preferred name at all
times
 8. Include the resident’s in your
conversations
 9. Speak to residents like adults
 10 Use encouragement, reassurance
and praise.