Loss of communication affects the person with dementia, the spouse or carer, all friends and family as well as strangers. Referral to a speech therapist may be offered. Speaking slowly in short sentences and always facing the sufferer is a good start. Interpreting the words used can become a definite skill. Teaching signs such as thumbs up or down can sometimes help but realising yes can mean no is important.
Sufferers often understand sentences written down better than the spoken word.
However writing things down may become an obsession and wordbooks can help but can lead to even more worry and frustration. Friendly gestures may be acceptable and this needs to be explored, as we all know every sufferer of Frontotemporal Dementia is different. Encouraging the sufferer to retain and practise words can help. Every carer will have special ways of communicating and if anyone would like to write in and give us their useful tips we would be more than happy to include them in another newsletter. I know that some carers are going to explore computer packages and we will hopefully hear about this soon.