Speaking, listening and communication Contact and communication
"I find it difficult to keep track of conversations so I tend to
speak to people less. It’s frustrating because I’m a very
sociable person and I like to know what’s going on." (Bill)
"When I’m talking to William, I use shorter sentences, say
people’s names more and prompt him a little bit. The
conversation is sometimes a bit stilted but the main thing is
that we can exchange ideas and pass the time of day." (Pam) Most
people with dementia will at some point in time have difficulty
communicating. They may, for example, find it difficult to find
the right words, to make themselves understood and to understand
others. Concentration can also be problematic. In addition,
people with dementia may forget what they wanted to say and what
other people have said so far. This can be frustrating and for
some people embarrassing. It can also lead to confusion,
misunderstandings and even feelings of isolation. A natural
reaction to such problems is to withdraw