The Effect of Positive Language in Dementia Care in Assisted Living

Dementia is a progressive condition that affects memory and function. As it progresses, your loved one may frequently lose their train of thought, become withdrawn, refer to things with a different name, or repeat what they say. Communication skills may deteriorate as a result of memory loss, and you will need to adjust and be innovative with the way you communicate with your loved one. This is part of proper dementia care in San Antonio. Communication is central to providing person-centered care, a holistic approach that focuses on what your loved one can still do instead of their weakness. This type of care pays importance to positive language to build and maintain a positive relationship.

Caregivers who are trained to provide dementia care in San Antonio assisted living facilities focus on your loved one’s strengths. This way, they are able to communicate and connect easily. It is possible to improve communication with seniors affected by dementia through simple means like reading body language and non-verbal cues, making eye contact, and being patient with them. Likewise, it is important to maintain a kind and friendly tone, make sure you appear pleasant and sincere, and choose your words well.

Studies have proven that positive language in dementia care can positively impact their overall quality of life. Keep in mind that the condition will affect a senior’s behavior and personality, and they cannot help it. So even if your loved one is acting out and being negative, that is only because of dementia. Instead of reacting adversely, keep calm and try your best to be reassuring and caring. Touch them gently and soothe them with kind words to show that you can understand their frustration. However, avoid being patronizing. Be sincere and try to offer encouragement and compliments as much as you can.

In some cases, the most effective way to reassure your loved one is with a smile. Seniors with dementia can recognize nonverbal cues; after all, these are stored in the brain and will remain even when the hippocampus has stopped working. It may take a while to learn the right method to communicate positively with your loved one, but as long as you are working with a dementia care specialist in assisted living facilities, you should be able to succeed.