Try These Nonverbal Communication Tips When Caring for Clients with Dementia
Connecting with a senior trying to cope with all the struggles of Alzheimer’s, especially in the middle and later stages, could very well be discouraging – both for the caregiver and the senior as well. Brain changes impact the ability to listen, process, and respond appropriately to conversations, and it’s up to us to put into practice innovative approaches to communicating to more successfully interact with an older adult with dementia.
The good news is, it’s quite a bit easier than it may look. We already communicate nonverbally in lots of ways:
Touch
Posture and body movement
Eye contact
Facial expressions
Gestures
Personal space
Try these methods to integrate increased nonverbal communication into your interactions with senior clients:
Offer reassurance through caring touch. If a senior is comfortable with touch, hold and pat the senior’s hand, rub the senior's back, place an arm around his/her shoulders, and offer affectionate hugs.
Look the person in the eye. Eye contact transmits interest in the senior, even if no words are said aloud.
Respect personal boundaries. Avoid overwhelming the senior by allowing adequate personal space, and making sure you’re at the very same level as the person, never towering over her or him. Your face should be at eye level with the older adult.
Always keep a relaxed, patient, and positive manner. Curb any anger, frustration or impatience, and focus on keeping a calm and pleasant expression on your face when with a senior. If this proves to be difficult due to challenging behaviors, walk away momentarily and practice deep breathing or other relaxation strategies, such as:
Square breathing: Use your finger to draw the shape of a square in front of you. When drawing the very first side, breathe in deeply for a count of three; for the following side, hold your breath for one second; for the third side, breathe out for a count of three; and for the fourth side, hold your breath for one second. Do it again when needed.
Relaxing phrase repetition: A few suggestions to help you get started: This will pass, and things are ok. I can manage this. I am secure and well.
Distracted thinking: Practice concentrated refocusing. Try reciting the alphabet backwards, stating as many state capitals as you can, or singing the words to a popular song.
As part of our caregiver training, we ensure all Hillendale Home Care caregivers are specially trained in the most up-to-date Alzheimer’s care techniques, and we are always available to assist seniors with dementia to remain safe and calm, and to enjoy life to the greatest possible potential. If you are interested in a meaningful career opportunity that allows you to serve others, contact us online or at 925-297-2676 at any time to learn more about our CNA and HHA training programs.
