*Resident names and any identifying details have been changed for privacy.

June 26, 2020

It happens frequently. You struggle to come up with an appropriate response to the person with dementia sitting in front of you. You squirm as they wait expectantly for your answer.

Maybe you didn't understand the question because their words didn't make sense.

Maybe their speech was unclear, garbled and unintelligible. 

Maybe they are demanding the impossible from a reality that doesn't even exist.

Whatever the case, you're not alone. It happens to everyone.

Keep calm. Take a breath. Step back to gain perspective on what it is that they really need in this moment.

Not everything requires a direct response…but some things do

There are a good many situations in which the old standbys will work just fine:

"Oh, yeah?"

"Hmmm..."

"No kidding!"

"Tell me more about it."

Another effective response can be to echo a few of the words you did catch, maybe while nodding along slightly.

These non-committal comments tend to work well in situations where the person is just chatting in order to connect socially. 

However, be warned: if they are trying to communicate an important or specific message this type of response is risky. Far from helping, it could actually make the person feel dismissed and unimportant. This can hurt their feelings, their trust in you, and your relationship.

So, how to know how to respond?

Pay attention to tone of voice and facial expression to determine their intent. What do they want and need from this interaction?

Try to understand them if you can, and try also to help them feel understood.

People need to feel heard and understood

Research confirms that people who feel understood by those around them are happier and have less physical discomfort than those who don't. 

Feeling understood is a common need that most humans share. In fact, some psychologists argue that for some people feeling understood is even more important than feeling loved.

But, how can you help someone feel understood if you can't... understand them?

There are a number of clues you can use to help figure out what someone is trying to express.

Take a minute to look around and take note of clues such as:

Their tone of voice

Their facial expression

Their body language

Where are (or recently were) they looking?

What are (or recently were) they doing?

What is (or has been) going on in the environment? On the TV?

One of the most important keys to deciphering their words (or behavior) is to imagine what is happening from their point of view.

Try to see the situation through their eyes, with the information their brain currently has available. (While you can't know exactly what information they have available in their current reality you can sometimes get pretty close with an educated guess.

Match their Facial Expression!

Are they smiling? Laughing? 

Then smile back! Give a giggle. They often don't need a direct response.

Even if you don't understand their exact words, understand that they are trying to connect with humor. Make eye contact and give them that goofy grin! 

They'll feel connected and understood.

If they are not smiling then you probably shouldn't be either. 

If you encounter someone sitting alone with a scowl or a frown, go ahead and smile; it may actually make a big difference in their day!

However, if someone is trying to tell you something that is upsetting to them, you're better off to look like you're taking it seriously. Smiling will send them the message that you don't understand or care about their problem.

A furrowed brow, a thoughtful nod… these types of gestures will communicate the message that you are listening to what they need.

Even if you don't understand it, it's important to them. 

Even if it's not true in "Reality" it might as well be: it's true in their reality. It feels 100% true to them. 

If you want to build a trusting relationship, you will need to take their problems and concerns seriously.

If they think someone is at the window, don't dismiss their concern and tell them that there isn't. How do you know (from their point of view)? Get up and go look. Then you can assure them there's no one there… but you'll be sure to keep an eye open. 

Do something to show them that what they think is important… because they are important.

Imagine that whatever they THINK is happening was ACTUALLY HAPPENING to you… How would you want someone to respond to you?

Excerpt from Hilltop Heights

I had stationed the med cart outside of the dining room doors in the hopes of catching most of the residents as they wandered by to give them their pills. Dimples scurried up to me, gripping her meal ticket tightly. Her brow was furrowed even more deeply than normal.

 “Just look at this!” she demanded, shoving the eight by four inch paper into my hand. “This is ridiculous!”

I inspected it closely and was mildly surprised to find absolutely nothing unusual about it. It was simply a ticket with her name and a list of everything she'd received on her tray. It looked exactly the same as it did every day.

I couldn't begin to guess what was bothering Dimples, but it was clear how she felt about it. I shrugged internally and jumped right in.

 “This will not do.” I shook my head. “This is completely unacceptable.”

 “Well, what are we going to do about this?”

I turned the paper over with a flourish and marked in big bold letters: “THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE!”

I narrowed my eyes slightly in (what I hope looked like) determination and proclaimed vehemently, “I will take this to them myself and tell them what they can do with it!”

 She breathed an audible sigh of relief and smiled in satisfaction. “Thank God. Finally, someone will take care of it! I was afraid I would have to do it all myself!”

If you can't tell what they are angry at...

Look for clues for what might be upsetting them.

Are they holding anything in their hands? 

What are they looking at?

What were they doing just prior?

Have you noticed any patterns of getting angry at certain times during the day?

What else is happening in the environment? On the TV? 

Are they hungry, painful or otherwise uncomfortable?

If you can't figure it out, try phrases like:

"This must be really upsetting you!"

"I can see this is really important."

"This is not okay! I will make sure that we get this addressed!"

For good measure it may help to throw in something like:

"You're one of our most valued residents! [or 'clients', 'members', 'parents'... whatever!]

You don't deserve this treatment! I'm going to get to the bottom of this! You should not have to deal with this!" 

Never hurts to stroke the ego a bit! But, more importantly, having someone stand up for you promotes some really powerful feelings of relief, of belonging and of being understood.

What other ideas have you tried that have helped people with dementia feel understood and valued?

Share your experiences at the ABC Dementia Facebook Page.