Ways Communication with Your Loved One Changes After a Dementia Diagnosis

Dementia is a progressive illness that diminishes a person’s memory over time and will affect how they understand everyday facts, such as people’s names, important dates, and specific places. If your loved one is struggling with a dementia diagnosis or other memory loss illnesses, the way in which they communicate with you and with the world may feel confusing and frustrating. For a person with dementia, their ability to process information changes and response time will often be weak or delayed. While communication with a loved one struggling with memory loss or dementia is difficult, it is not impossible. MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Beaverton offers some examples of how to better communicate and maintain a relationship with your loved one struggling with memory loss.

It is devastating to watch someone you love struggle with dementia. It may feel as though you are losing that person entirely. At MorningStar of Beaverton, consistently working and communicating with an elder struggling with memory loss has been shown to be beneficial, even if the communication method appears different. Often, the communication will be nonverbal, or incoherent. It is important to remain patient, calm, and empathetic during these moments. Maintain eye contact and pay attention to changes in body language. Body language and physical contact may become stronger and more apparent for a person with dementia. Holding your loved one’s hand or giving a gentle pat is encouraging and maintains the bond between you.

Your loved one’s input and independence are important as a senior dealing with dementia. However, you may not be able to ask for it as much as you were once used to. When routing the world of dementia, try not to ask your loved one too many questions. Questions may confuse someone struggling with memory loss and they can become frustrated. Instead, try to focus on the present when you are with them. Comment on the surroundings around them that they can notice immediately. Things such as taste, feel, smell, and sound are great things to comment on when trying to understand your loved one’s input or comfortability. Remaining in the present will aid in easy communication between you and your loved one in assisted living or memory care.

To learn more about MorningStar Assisted Living Facility and Memory Care of Beaverton and the other specialized care regarding Dementia care in Beaverton, OR please contact us. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other memory care facilities in Oregon.

MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors, and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Beaverton, Oregon has to offer.