Week 12: How do we communicate with a person with dementia?

Talking to the person with dementia

1. Never argue, instead agree
2. Never reason, instead divert
3. Never shame, instead distract
4. Never lecture, instead reassure
5. Never say “remember”, instead reminisce
6. Never say “I told you”, instead repeat/regroup
7. Never say “You can’t”, instead do what they can
8. Never command/demand, instead ask/model
9. Never condescend, instead encourage
10. Never force, instead reinforce
http://www.dementiacarefoundation.org/ChallengingBehavior.pdf