Twenty strategies for Communicating with Patients with Dementia

by Susan Keane Baker

Introduce yourself and your role at each encounter.
Try to determine the need behind repeated questions or statements.
Let your patient know that you are changing the subject. “Now let’s talk about….”
Don’t interrupt.
Minimize background noise.
Pause between sentences and before and after significant words in your sentence.
Don’t speak about your patient as though he/she isn’t present.
Avoid figurative terms that patients may interpret literally. For example, “We’re ready to take you to the floor now.”
Align your facial expression and your message. Don’t frown as you say “Your daughter’s come to visit.” (Unless that’s a bad thing of course!)
Avoid two part questions. For example, “If you’re cold, would you like me to get you a blanket?”
When meeting with your patient and his/her family, address your patient first.
Avoid quick movements that may frighten or upset your patient.
Don’t patronize.
Understand and acknowledge frustration.
Use your patient’s name.
If your patient has reverted to speaking his/her first learned language, learn a few phrases of that language.
Use appropriate touch to gain your patient’s attention.
Face your patient when you are speaking to him/her. You can startle anyone when your first words are from behind a person.
Ask your patient to do one thing at a time, as opposed to two or three things. Don’t say “Take off your shoes and shirt and then sit on the examining table.”
Thank your patient for talking with you.

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