Did you know that nearly four in 10 people (39%) avoid visiting relatives living with dementia because of how difficult it can be to communicate and connect*?
Dementia can change the way someone communicates. Messages in the brain may take longer to reach the right place, which can make conversations more challenging.
As dementia progresses, families and friends may feel unsure how to stay connected. In a national survey, nearly all respondents (93%) said communication barriers made meaningful interaction harder, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Understanding why communication becomes more challenging is the first step in remaining connected with your loved one.
Staying connected
We know many families feel they don’t have enough support with communication after their loved one develops dementia. That’s why Care UK created Staying connected: a guide to dementia-friendly conversations.
This guide offers support for family members and friends to understand some of the ways dementia can impact a person’s ability to communicate and provides advice for making day-to-day communication less stressful. We share practical tips to help you communicate more easily and confidently with your loved ones.
Pick up a free copy in your local care home or download it as part of our ‘The Big Dementia Conversation’ online advice hub.
We’re here for you
‘The Big Dementia Conversation’ online advice hub is all about sharing knowledge and real-life experiences to support those who are looking after someone living with dementia.
If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia and need a little extra support, why not visit our website to discover more ways we can help you and your loved one.
Did you know?
Nearly 4 in 10 people say they’ve avoided visiting a relative living with dementia.
93% of people feel communicating barriers can prevent meaningful interaction with their relatives.
The top three things people find most challenging are: having to repeat themselves (43%), not being recognised (42%) and understanding what their loved one means (40%)*.
If you’re considering care, call your local care homes Highmarket House and Seccombe Court on 0330 818 4795 or visit careuk.com/banbury
*According to a survey of 2,000 adults, conducted by OnePoll.
