Dementia can be complicated. And when a parent is diagnosed with this condition, it’s essential to learn as much as you can. It can affect almost every part of your parent’s life, from their memory to their ability to communicate. Fortunately, you can find help through memory care, but how do you talk to a parent with dementia?
When a parent has dementia, it’s crucial to prioritize patience above almost everything else. Try to be understanding of your loved one’s condition; there’s going to be a learning curve. Take your time and give them time to process information, and avoid cutting them off while they are speaking. This way, you can enjoy an engaging conversation with your parent and continue nurturing your relationship, regardless of the stage of their dementia.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia isn’t one specific disease. Rather, it’s a group of symptoms that can affect almost every part of a person’s brain and cognitive capabilities. This condition is progressive, often developing without showcasing initial signs and eventually leading to the damage, or death, of cells throughout the brain.
As brain cells deteriorate, a person living with dementia may experience:
- Memory loss, often forgetting recent events or conversations
- Difficulty clearly thinking or reasoning
- Poor judgment or decision-making
- Disorientation
- Behavioral and personality changes
This is a multi-faceted condition that can affect almost all aspects of a person’s life. However, there is one problem that many people don’t think about—how dementia affects communication.
How Does Dementia Affect Communication?
Conversation and communication come naturally to most people. However, it does require a group of skills that many of us don’t realize we’re using. We need to remember how to structure sentences, how to interpret new information, how to respond to things, and how to pick up on visual cues and tone.
But remember—dementia affects the cells throughout the brain. As this condition progresses, a person with dementia may start to have trouble with:
- Finding the right words
- Following the flow of a conversation
- Understanding complex sentences or instructions
- Keeping up with abrupt changes in topic
These hurdles can be challenging, and not just for the person living with dementia. It can make it difficult to continue a conversation or stay on one topic. It can become harder to properly communicate with your parent as dementia progresses. So what do you do?
Tips for Talking to Someone with Dementia
Fortunately, there are some strategies you can employ to improve how you communicate with a parent living with dementia. Try to:
- Create a calming environment
- Actively listen
- Be understanding of the challenges they face
And above all else, try to be patient. This way, you and your parent can continue building a strong bond!
Creating a Calming Environment
When you’re visiting a parent living with dementia, start with the environment. Try to reduce distractions and anything that can cause sensory overload. Try to make sure that there is:
- Proper lighting
- Quiet surroundings
- No distractions
This helps reduce the odds of your parent losing focus mid-conversation, allowing you both to focus on one another.
Active Listening
When listening to someone speak, many people find themselves mentally preparing how they’ll respond. It’s common, as it helps keep the conversation moving forward by having a response ready to go. But when someone has dementia, this can be a hurdle.
Instead, try to actively listen to your parent without focusing on what you’ll say next. Let them work through their sentence and try to pay full attention to what they’re trying to communicate. Don’t just listen to the words—consider your parent’s feelings about what they’re speaking about.
This way, you’re better able to pick up on cues and understand what they’re trying to communicate.
Being Understanding
It’s crucial to remember that your parent is living with a condition that’s directly affecting their brain. Things are going to be different when you’re spending time together, and that’s okay. Try to:
- Use simple language and try not to be too complex
- Let them process information in their own way
- Give them time to formulate responses
- Gently remind them of the conversation if they lose their place
- Be compassionate
Remember—it isn’t about correcting mistakes and staying on track. It’s about spending quality time with a person you love and valuing the moments spent together. Make sure your parent feels heard and supported, and your bond can only grow.
Practice Patience
Patience is not only a virtue in these interactions; it’s a necessity. Make sure that you’re giving your parent space and time to process things at their own pace. It may take some time for them to respond, so sit back and stay in the moment.
Try not to interrupt or finish thoughts for them; this can lead to feelings of frustration and irritation. Instead, give them the room they need to communicate in their own time.
Memory Care in Clifton Park
If you have a parent living with dementia, contact our team at Peregrine Senior Living at Clifton Park. Our team is here to give your parent the care they deserve in our memory care community. We’re here for you both, so schedule a tour with us today, and take the first step towards giving your parent the care they deserve.
