Dementia Care

Guide On Symptoms Management

Common symptoms of dementia

Difficulty understanding

Caregivers should be aware that difficulty understanding is one of the symptoms of dementia and they should be more accommodating when speaking to a person with dementia. Persons with dementia might find it increasingly difficult to express clearly and understand what others say.
Some changes you might notice include:
  • Difficulty in finding a word
  • Not able to understand what you are saying
  • May lose normal social conventions of conversation
  • Interrupt or ignore a person during interaction
  • Not give any response during a conversation
  • Difficulty in expressing emotions appropriately
Communicating with person with dementia can be one of the most frustrating and challenging activities. They are more likely to communicate on an emotional level.

Care tips

  • Get their attention
Approach from the front and call their name. Reminding them who you are to them, for example “I am your wife, Nancy”
  • Talk to them politely
Voice out each word clearly and slowly.
A person with dementia is usually a little slower in understanding words. Speaking slowly will make it easier for them to understand.
  • Use hand gestures and facial expression
Show and gesture while telling them something, for example, if it’s time to brush teeth, get the toothbrush and toothpaste at hand to show them
  • Ask one question at a time
Use closed ended questions that can be answered by ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Try avoiding open-ended questions.
  • Provide a detailed guide for them
If they can understand a short sentence, try giving a brief explanation of each action and when one action is completed, give the instruction for the following step.
For example, do not just say “Please fry the onions”, you’ll need to guide them from the beginning:
Step 1: Please take out the onion from the kitchen cabinet
Step 2: Slice the onion thinly
Step 3: Then fry the onions
  • Be patient
Repeat your question or information if they did not understand.

Do not:

  • Order the person around
  • Tell them condescendingly what they can’t do
  • Quarrel with them as it can make the situation worse
  • Take negative communication personally, remember to focus on the feelings and emotions but not the facts
To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors
– Tia Walker –

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