Clear communication
Dementia can affect someone’s communication abilities. For example, a person with dementia may forget words or have problems following a conversation.
Each person will experience dementia in their own way, but there are some simple things that you can do to communicate more effectively in person and on the phone:
- Speak clearly, calmly and at a slightly slower pace if the person is having difficulty understanding.
- Use short, simple sentences.
- Be patient and give the person time to respond.
- Try to avoid asking too many questions, or complicated questions, phrasing them in a way which allows a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.
- If you’re supporting somebody in person, stand or sit where the person can see and hear you as clearly as possible, and try to be at eye level.
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Page last reviewed: 03 November 2023
