Tips for communicating with someone living with dementia

Dementia can be extremely difficult for both the individual and their families to navigate. As a person’s condition worsens, communication can become more difficult. Thankfully, there are ways that you can change the way you communicate with your family member that will help you to sustain your relationship and ensure they never feel alone.

Read on to discover the best tips for talking and communicating with a person living with dementia. 

How does dementia affect communication?

A progressive condition, dementia significantly impacts the way individuals communicate, making it difficult for them to express themselves clearly or understand others. Memory loss can make it difficult for them to recall the right word or to follow along with conversations. They can also experience changes to the way their voice sounds or inconsistencies in their speech pattern, which can be frustrating and distressing. Though they can be more difficult to interpret, nonverbal expressions (such as gestures or facial expressions) can become an important part of understanding how your loved one is feeling, both emotionally and physically. 

Why is communication important for people with dementia?

Communicating is hugely important for people living with dementia, helping them to maintain their identity and supporting their emotional wellbeing. Continuing to give them opportunities to talk and communicate their feelings significantly enhances their quality of life by allowing them to express their needs and feelings. Maintaining connections with the people around them is equally important, so talking allows them to do so. It also fosters connections with caregivers, family, and friends, reducing feelings of isolation and frustration.

As dementia progresses, maintaining meaningful interactions can help individuals feel understood and supported, promoting their emotional and psychological health. By adapting communication techniques to their abilities, caregivers can help people with dementia stay engaged, feel valued, and retain a sense of control over their lives.

How to talk to someone living with dementia

Knowing the right way to communicate with someone living with dementia can support their comfort and wellbeing, whilst helping you to maintain your relationship with your loved one. When talking to a person with dementia, you’ll want to keep these things in mind.  

Choose the right environment 

Picking the right environment to have a conversation with a person living with dementia can help to make communicating easier for both of you. Dementia sufferers can struggle to focus on conversations, becoming easily distracted and overstimulated in spaces where a lot is going on. Try to find somewhere quiet with minimal background noise to start your conversation. This will give them the best chance of focusing on the conversation itself, allowing the two of you to better connect. 

Speak slowly and clearly 

The way you speak can help to make conversations with a person living with dementia easier. Speaking slowly can clearly be understood, but it’s important not to overcompensate, as this could make it sound as though you’re speaking to a child. Instead, focus on using short sentences and speaking calmly. 

Avoid complex questions 

Asking too many questions or complex questions can make it harder to have a conversation with someone who has dementia. They may not be able to answer in full, complex sentences, so asking complicated questions could result in them getting upset or frustrated. Similarly, answering for them or interrupting them could cause further distress or confusion. Instead, try to use simple questions with “yes” or “no answers. 

Take your time 

Speaking with a person living with dementia takes time and patience. Try not to overthink longer pauses in the conversation- it will likely take your loved one a bit longer to process what you’re saying and to respond. A gentle, patient approach will help both of you feel calm and comfortable so that you can enjoy spending time with each other. 

Ask their carer 

If your loved one is in a care setting or receives at-home care, then don’t be afraid to ask their carer for advice and support. Dementia is a complex illness, with specialist carers trained to deal with both the emotional and physical challenges it causes. You can lean on their expertise anytime you need, whether you have questions or simply need someone to talk to about how you’re coping with your loved one’s illness. 

How do you know if you need help caring for your loved one who has dementia? 

Even with the right tools, coping with the emotional toll of supporting someone with dementia can be extremely tough. Oftentimes, family members don’t realise they need support or respite until they reach burnout and end up feeling guilty for not being able to do more for the person they care for. 

If any of these statements ring true to you, then you and your family would likely benefit from getting support with dementia care: 

• You’re finding it emotionally and/or physically overwhelming caring for your loved one.
• You’re neglecting your own wellbeing needs in order to be there for them.
• You’re struggling to find time and energy to continue to do the things you enjoy and to spend time with family/friends. 
• You find it harder to connect with your loved one who has dementia because you feel like your responsibilities as a carer outweigh all else. 

Dementia care at home with Ashridge Home Care 

With Ashridge Home Care, your loved one can receive award-winning dementia care and support from the comfort of their own home. At-home care, like live-in or hourly care, benefits people with dementia, allowing them to remain in a familiar environment, which has a positive impact on their wellbeing.

Our carers are trained by us to deliver outstanding holistic care, ensuring your loved one’s physical and emotional needs are tended to. With our support, you can go back to spending quality time with your loved one, safe in the knowledge that they are receiving the highest standard of care. You’ll also benefit from having a professional who can support you by answering any of your questions and keeping you updated on your loved one’s care plan. 

Here at Ashridge Home Care, we were delighted to win the Home Care Awards: Mental Health and Dementia Care Expertise 2025 award. We have been working hard to deliver the best possible service to those affected by dementia, including opening dementia-friendly cafes and delivering dementia friends sessions across the county.

If you want to find out more about how our expert carers can support loved ones living with dementia or with specialist care needs, get in touch to speak with a friendly member of our team.