Dementia nursing care of a loved one is without a doubt one of the most difficult challenges that families and caregivers face. People with Alzheimer’s dementia and related progressive biological brain disorders find it more difficult to think clearly, remember things, take care of themselves and communicate with others. Dementia can impact a person’s visual perception, cause mood swings and changes their personality and behavior.

Effective dementia nursing care in Kansas City provides communication skills that help make caregiving less stressful and enhances the caregiver’s ability to handle the difficult behaviors they frequently encounter when caring for someone with dementia. 

It can be painful to witness the deterioration of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or any other type of dementia. Fortunately, there are many helpful strategies for communicating with someone with dementia in Kansas City. 

Here are ten of the most effective ways to communicate with patients in dementia nursing care.

1. Before speaking, get the person’s attention, address them by name, and identify yourself and your relationship with them.

2. Avoid distractions by turning off the TV or moving to another location. Sit at their level and maintain eye contact, and use nonverbal cues and touch.

3. Speak to them in a respectful manner using a calm, reassuring tone of voice.

4. Use pleasant facial expressions, and gentle physical touch to help convey your message and show feelings of compassion and affection.

5. Use simple words and sentences, and speak slowly, enunciating each word.

6. Ask simple, answerable questions, one question at a time; yes or no answers work best.

7. Do not give the person too many choices. Using visual prompts and cues can also help clarify your question and can guide their responses.

8. Always strive to listen for the meaning and feelings that underlie the words. Listen. Open your eyes, ears and heart and calmly wait for the person’s response.

9. Respond with affection and reassurance. Stay focused on the feelings they are demonstrating and respond with verbal and physical expressions of comfort, support, and reassurance. Sometimes holding hands, touching, hugging, and praise will get the person to respond when all else fails.

10. Do not raise your voice; be patient and repeat or rephrase your comments or questions if they have difficulty understanding. Do not argue with or contradict a person with dementia!

Although dementia signs and severity vary, there are many support techniques that dementia nursing care can employ to improve conversations with loved ones. Because dementia has no cure, people with the disease will progressively find it more and more difficult to understand and communicate. It’s a hard journey, and caregivers can make it better by learning ways to support, empower, celebrate, and encourage people with dementia.

Clover Care Home dementia nursing care senior retirement residence in Kansas City is staffed with compassionate, caring individuals who are highly trained in Alzheimer’s dementia care. It is our focus to give our residents the most fulfilling, comfortable care possible in a loving, safe environment. To learn more about our facility, call or contact us online. We are here to answer your questions and discuss how we can best serve you or your family member.

Clover Care Home

913-991-2605