How to help someone with aphasia and dementia
How are aphasia and dementia linked?
The NHS tells us that Aphasia is when a person “has difficulty with their language or speech. It’s usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain (for example, after a stroke).” However, it can also develop after someone has been diagnosed with dementia. “People with the most common types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, usually have a mild form of aphasia.”
Depending on the condition the person is living with, aphasia can come on quickly or more gradually. If the damage to the brain is caused suddenly, such as after a head injury, or a stroke, symptoms of aphasia will usually develop straight away, whereas if the person is living with a progressive condition such as dementia or a brain tumour, they can come on more gradually.
Primary progressive aphasia is a rare form of dementia where language is affected severely. Being progressive, the symptoms get worse over time. The first noticeable problem for someone with PPA is trouble finding the right word or remembering someone’s name. As the condition develops speech may become difficult or more hesitant, slower, and less complex, and they may have difficulty understanding other people. This can lead to them becoming unable to follow conversations and feeling generally less part of their surroundings, which leaves them at risk of loneliness and social isolation.
How to improve communication with someone who is living with dementia
When the part of the brain that controls language and speech is affected by dementia this means that the person may struggle to communicate verbally as they traditionally would. This can lead to some difficulties for loved ones who wish to communicate and are unsure how best to attempt it. Because aphasia doesn’t affect someone’s intellect it’s very important to ensure that we don’t inadvertently “talk down” or patronise someone when we’re trying to converse with them; after all they are still the same person, and it may upset them if they feel they’re being treated differently or less respectfully. Finding alternative methods of communication may be necessary as someone’s aphasia progresses, and the same will be true of someone who is living with other types of dementia too. These could include using pictures, family photos, or body language.
Plan enough time
It’s important to plan enough time when you want to have a conversation with someone living with dementia. Taking it slowly will also help to avoid you both becoming tired, which will make conversing more difficult.
Calm yourself
Avoid trying to converse when you’re irritated or not in a good frame of mind. If you’re feeling stressed it’s best to take time to calm yourself first before trying to converse.
Short sentences/straightforward vocabulary
Using short sentences with straightforward vocabulary while being mindful not to patronise, will support the likelihood of a better outcome. Dementia care from Helping Hands can help with communication struggles.
Don’t patronise
Don’t inadvertently “talk down” or patronise someone when we’re trying to converse with them; after all they are still the same person, and it may upset them if they feel they’re being treated differently or less respectfully
Be patient
Patience is probably the most crucial skill to exercise, as the person won’t follow everything that you’re saying and you may have to repeat yourself or rethink how to express your meaning
Avoid over-exerting them
Asking questions and putting the person ‘on the spot’ will be less effective than general conversation and will probably tire them out and potentially frustrate them
How Helping Hands can help
Helping Hands have been supporting people who require additional support to remain as independent as possible in the home they love for more than four decades. Since 1989, we have been providing visiting care and live-in care that is of an exceptional standard, helping people who wish to remain living in their own home to do so, rather than move into residential care.
Our outstanding carers help all of our customers to retain control over their own lives, deciding what their package of care will contain and how their everyday routine will progress. This could be housework, personal care, medication, or meal preparation, as well as other tasks both inside and outside of the home. Your carer will be carefully chosen and expertly skilled to make sure you receive only the highest standards of support at home, and they’ll be able to come to your home from an hour or two a week or live in your home around the clock. You’ll also have a personalised support plan designed for you which will contain every detail of how you wish to live, including making the most of your local community if you enjoy doing so. And because all of our care services are fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission and Care Inspectorate Wales, you and your loved ones will be assured of our consistently high standards.