Communicating with a dementia patient is not a skill that everyone is born with but it can be learned. If you are a family caregiver, you need to effectively communicate with them so that you can effectively provide personal care in North Carolina. It will also help you handle difficult behaviors that you may encounter while caring for them.
Here are some tips on how you can improve your communication with seniors with dementia.
- Set the mood for positive interaction. Your attitude towards them and your body language speaks more volume than what you say. Use facial expressions, tone of voice, and physical touch to help convey your message and affection.
- Make sure you have their attention by limiting distractions and noise. Turn off the TV or radio, or move to a quieter environment.
- If possible, sit or stand in front of the patient with dementia so you can make and maintain eye contact. This can also assist them in understanding what you’re talking about.
- Speak slowly and clearly by using simple words and short instructions about non-medical home care services that you provide for them.
- Give your message one at a time and repeat them when needed. Too many instructions can be confusing to them. So, keep your conversation simple and when you need them to make a decision about the different living assistance they need, limit the choices that they need to make.
If caring for someone with dementia is taking a toll on you, take a break and call Changing Lives Homecare. We are home care in Jacksonville, North Carolina, that provides different home health care services that suits your loved ones’ needs.