Advice

How to support a person with dementia to communicate if they’re unable to speak

Question:

My dad has dementia and can’t speak anymore. Is there anything that could help him to communicate with us?

Answer:

Many people with dementia experience difficulties with language and communication. Some people might struggle to speak at all.

Different tools help different people, so it may be worth trying a few. Some of these are made specifically for people with dementia.

Cards, books and mats

Cue cards and communication books have pictures that a person can point or nod at to express themselves.

Pictures usually include everyday items, activities and feelings.

Some have a section that can be personalised too, such as the Care Sector Communication Book.

Communication boards and mats also use pictures, but these are all laid out in one place instead.

Sometimes it could help to see everything together without having to flick through pages or cards.

Other times this may be overwhelming.

Apps and devices

Apps for smartphones and tablets can help with communication.

To find these, search app stores for ‘AAC’, which stands for ‘augmentative and alternative communication’.

Many apps have useful pictures arranged in categories, and some of these will ‘speak’ a picture that’s selected, such as SymboTalk.

There are online picture dictionaries that could be used in a similar way.

Some tools designed for travel may also help. For example, the ICOON picture dictionary is available as a pocket-size book and as an app.

If your dad can type what he wants to say, then a text-to- speech device or app could read it out for him. 

For example, Speech Assistant AAC is available from Google Play and Apple App Store.

DIY ideas

You could use notebooks or sticky notes to make your own prompts, with the words your dad most needs.

Another option is to find useful images online and save them in a folder on your dad’s smartphone or computer, perhaps along with words or phrases. 

Pointing to or selecting these may help him to communicate.

You could print these off to create a book that your dad can keep to hand for when it’s needed.

Everyday tips

Creating a calm environment can make communication easier. Are there distractions that you can reduce or remove when your dad wants to tell you something?

Are there things you can do to help him not feel rushed while he’s getting something across to you?

Simple, yes or no questions – for example, ‘Are you warm enough?’ – are easier to respond to than open-ended questions.

Paying attention to your dad’s body language could also help you to understand what he’s saying.