Individuals may exhibit confused language for a variety of reasons. It is usually a symptom of an underlying condition, such as dementia, but can be exacerbated by acute episodes of infection for example.

If a person’s ability to remember events is deteriorating, they may be slower to understand what is being said, they may lack concentration and they will need help to continue to communicate effectively.

Family, friends and carers know them better than anyone else and may find the following suggestions helpful.

• Make sure the person has their glasses or is wearing a hearing aid if they need one.
• Sit in a quiet environment – turn off the TV or radio.
• Face the person – establish eye contact, speak clearly and slowly.
• Use facial expressions, intonation and photographs or pictures to support your interaction.
• Try to go at the person’s pace and keep the communication short and simple, such as, using factual information, for example “we are going to Canterbury” rather than “we are not going to Farnham we are going to Canterbury”.
• Repeat information if necessary.
• Talk about familiar topics.
• Allow the person to lead the conversation and talk about their interests.
• Find out what makes that person tick, such as a hobby, a past job or a family event.
• Encourage well-loved activities, such as knitting, music, card games, dominoes, manicures or sing-alongs.

Three golden rules

The SPECAL® method.

1. Keep the number of questions you ask to a minimum.
2. Listen to the person and try not to interrupt them.
3. Don’t contradict.

Resources

Recommended reading

Contented Dementia by Oliver James, ISBN 978009/190/8/3.

Paperback edition by Vermillion can be ordered from the Contented Dementia Trust website, www.contenteddementiatrust.org

This book explains how the SPECAL® method promotes lifelong wellbeing for people with dementia. The method is based on the premise that people with dementia can no longer store new factual information efficiently, so they use past experiences to make sense of the present.

Catalogue

Dementia Care – Solutions for Independent Living.

A booklet of daily living aids obtainable from Nottingham Rehabilitation Supplies, phone 0845 606 0911.

Contacts

Contented Dementia Trust

www.contenteddementiatrust.org

Alzheimer’s’ Society                  

www.alzheimers.org.uk     

Support near you: www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you

Admiral Nurses

www.dementiauk.org/get-support/dementia-helpline-alzheimers-helpline/

These nurses are mental health nurses offering individualised support to family, carers and people with dementia. They provide emotional support, practical advice and information about caring for someone with dementia.