Dementia Care in Bristol: Vital Tips to Communicate in All Stages of Dementia

Difficulty organizing and finding the right word, creating and repeating phrases, cursing, or talking lesser are some of the changes caused due to Dementia. Thus, it becomes essential to understand their state, maintain relationships, and communicate effectively. Our experts at Live-in Care Direct deliver high-quality Dementia care in Bristol and help families with efficient ways to communicate with their loved ones. So, to avoid feeling frustrated or onerous, follow these essential points during the early, middle, and late stages of Dementia.

Tips for Early Stage of Dementia

• During this stage, People with Dementia can still perform routine activities and take part in healthy conversations. However, they may repeat words and sentences.
• Just because they are diagnosed with Dementia, don't assume about the patients' ability to talk.
• Don't exclude or ignore them during a conversation or talk about them as they are not in the room.
• Ask them often how they are doing.
• Take time to understand or know their needs.
• Give your loved one with Dementia some time to respond. Don't interrupt or ignore them when they need your help finding the right word or sentence.

Even though your loved one is in the early stage of Dementia, know that they want to connect. Your duty as a caregiver is to understand their feelings or what they are trying to express.

Tips for Middle Stage of Dementia

The second stage of Dementia is usually the longest one of all and may last for many years. As Dementia advances, your loved one will need more care and have major difficulty speaking and performing even simple tasks.

• Give them the time they need to respond or say whatever they want.
• Encourage one-to-one conversation in a place with minimum to no disturbance.
• You need to be utterly supportive and patient. Encouraging them can help them better explain their wishes.
• While talking, look them in the eye. It shows your care and kindness.
• Don't criticize or correct their speech. Instead, listen carefully and try to find out its meaning.
• Keep your tone down and pay attention to your actions and behaviour.
• Speak clearly and don't rush them with sentences.
• Don't ask open-ended questions like 'where do you want to go?' Instead, ask, 'Would you like to go to the park?'

Remember to approach them gently, tell them your name, and call them by their name.

Tips for Late Stage of Dementia

As the patient reaches the third stage, maintaining a healthy relationship becomes challenging. It is because the effective part, i.e., verbal communication, is lost. Although they may say words and sentences, the ability for recognizable speech is not there. They start perceiving everything through their senses. Therefore, maintain a connection through:

• Touch: Hold your loved one's hand. Offer them a gentle massage to their legs, feet, and hands.
• Smell: Bring their favourite flower, perfume, or food to help them enjoy its scent that may remind them of happy memories.
• Vision: Use videos, photographs, etc., that may bring back good memories.
• Hearing: Reading a book can be relaxing even when they have lost their ability to understand. Pour love and affection in your tone – it helps them feel safer.

Conclusion

To improve your loved one's quality of life, caregivers must follow the above tips. It helps them maintain a quality relationship with someone suffering from a life-threatening disease. Are you looking for Dementia care in Bristol? Don't hesitate to contact Live-in Care Direct. We take pride in helping and supporting families and their loved ones with Dementia to live a better life.