Dementia and communication difficulties

This leaflet is for carers and family members of people with dementia. Dementia describes a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by disease. There are different types of dementia. How quickly dementia progresses depends on the individual. Each person is unique and experiences dementia in their own way.

Dementia can affect:

• memory
• reasoning
• behaviour and emotions
• communication skills
• ability to carry out daily activities

Dementia and communication

Every person is different but some common problems are:

• difficulties talking and finding the right words
• difficulty understanding
• confusion about time, places and objects
• forgetting names of friends and family
• changes in social behaviour eg withdrawn or emotional

This may be upsetting and frustrating for the person with dementia and for those around them.

If someone is upset, aggressive, or behaving unusually it might be because they are struggling to communicate something to you.

Advice to help communication difficulties

• Attract the person’s attention before you start to speak.
• State the topic, such as, “Your ankle. Is it sore?”
• Use short, simple sentences.
• Offer the person visual clues such as gesture, pictures and objects to support what you are saying.

• Pay attention to the person’s body language, facial expression and gesture.
• Keep the environment calm with minimal disruptions.
• Use touch, which offers comfort and reassurance.
• Make a life book with photos from the past and likes/ dislikes to talk about together.

Helpful resources and websites

• Alzheimer's Society (opens in a new tab)
• Dementia Friends - An Alzheimer's Society initiative (opens in a new tab)
• About Dementia - NHS Conditions (opens in a new tab)