DADA Series (Dignified Ageing and Dementia Awareness) Courtesy: Sanchita Chakraborty

DO’S AND DON’TS OF COMMUNICATION

DO

Talk to the person in a tone that conveys respect and dignity.

Keep your explanations short. Use clear and flexible language.

Maintain eye contact by positioning yourself at the person’s eye level.

Look directly at the person and ensure that you have their attention before you speak. Always begin by identifying yourself and explain what it is you propose to do.

Use visual cues whenever possible.

Be realistic in expectations.

Observe and attempt to interpret the person’s non verbal communication.

Paraphrase and use a calm and reassuring tone.

Speak slowly and say individual words clearly. Use strategies to reduce the effects of hearing impairment.

Encourage talk about things that they are familiar with.

Use touch if appropriate.

DON’T

Talk to the person in ‘baby talk’ or as if you are talking to a child.

Use complicated words or phrases and long sentences.

Glare at, or “eyeball” the person you are talking to.

Begin a task without explaining who you are or what you are about to do.

Talk to the person without eye contact, such as while rummaging in a drawer to select clothing.

Try and compete with a distracting environment.

Provoke a catastrophic reaction through unrealistic expectations or by asking the person to do more than one task at a time.

Disregard your own non verbal communication.

Disregard talk that may seem to be “rambling”.

Shout or talk too fast.

Interrupt unless it cannot be helped.

Attempt to touch or invade their personal space if they are showing signs of fear or aggression.


CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER

As a caregiver, you must learn to nurture your own needs. Here are a few recommendations to help you cope with the demanding role of being a caregiver:

Look for support — many family caregivers withdraw from family and friends because they feel no one understands. It is very helpful and in many cases, therapeutic, for you to join a support group where you can learn from others through sharing your experiences.

Let go of guilt — Let go of the “guilt trip” by realizing a need to temporarily set aside caregiving responsibilities for a period of respite.

Nurture the body — Be sure to get enough sleep and eat properly.

Take breaks from caregiving as often as possible by asking other family members to help.

Establish limits — Say no to requests that are beyond your capacity and say yes to offers of help from family and friends.

Author Profile:

Sanchita Chakraborti, a Minnesota Graduate with 14 years of Corporate Experience in various capacities in global sales, strategy and research functions, a fitness freak and a voracious reader.


References

The Dementia India Report 2010
Dementia Care: A Guide for Family Caregivers by Home Instead Senior Care