Few Tips for Talking to a parent with Dementia
- Speak warmly and calmly-
Avoid talking in “baby talk” way and instead concentrate on making your speech calm, clear, and soothing. Focus on giving safety through your voice. If you see that you’re speaking tensely, or that you’re raising your tone, take a pause and come back when you’re able to speak comfortably and with reassurance.
- Limit distractions-
If you want to interact with a parent with dementia, create a safe environment that seems comforting and not frightening. Turn off any background sounds such as television or radio. Move them to a room that has limited noise. Minimally distracting surroundings can help your parents focus their attention and strength on the conversation.
- Speak simply-Use precise, simple sentences if your parent with dementia is struggling to understand you. Slow down your talk. If your loved one does not get, find an easy and honest way to communicate
- Be patient. Remember, it’s the disease talking!
When it gets to how to talk to a parent with dementia, tolerance is the key. Dementia can make understanding a slower process. That means that it will often take them a little hard to truly know what you are saying. This can lead to a delay time before they can find the words to respond.
- Talk one thing at a time/ Ask the least questions-Ask one at a time so that they do not seem overwhelming. Pause and remain for a response. Give easy choices when possible.
- Tune into their emotions-
When engaging in a talk with your parent with dementia, think about what they may be feeling. They may be speaking or acting in a disturbed way or may appear confused. If you notice your parent is anxious or confused, adjust how you talk and what needs to be said.
Parent with Dementia: Giving them the continued support
The key to communicating with a parent to dementia is to get into their reality. The disease has changed their abilities. Use techniques to continue communication at their level, given their change in condition.
It also requires patience. It may seem difficult but not impossible. By altering your approach and practising new strategies, you can have continued communication and better quality of life to the people you care about as they face this debilitating disease.
Do you have a parent with dementia? What advice would you give to others for talking to a parent with dementia? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Let’s start a conversation and help in preventing the disease.
For more guidance and knowledge about the illness, contact us on our website- Cadabam’s. Incase you have anything that is bothering you, Email us at info@localhost or give us a call to +91 96111 94949.