A little support makes a big difference

Listen

With the many stresses and electronic distractions of today’s world, really listening and giving your full attention to anyone can be a challenge. But practicing good listening skills and paying attention can make a big difference for people living with dementia to feel heard and socially included:

Listen to people with dementia

It’s important to listen to people living with dementia. Sometimes it can be easy to become impatient, be distracted, or overlook the contribution people living with dementia can make.

With the many stresses and electronic distractions of today’s world, really listening and giving your full attention to anyone can be a challenge.

But it’s important to practice good listening skills and pay attention in order to properly understand what is being communicated and this can also support people living with dementia to feel socially included.

 

How to listen well

Be in the moment

Put your phone down, turn away from the screen, don’t think about your schedule or the jobs you need to do. People can tell when you’re distracted and not really listening.

 

Don’t make judgements

Be empathetic, don’t judge the person as they are talking. To truly understand what a person is saying and where they are coming from, try to see the world from their perspective.

Be aware of yourself and about what you’re saying and how it can be perceived.

 

Show you’re listening

Use body language to show the person that you’re listening; nod encouragingly, lean in. This will make the person you’re talking to feel more comfortable and confident they are being heard.

 

Listen to learn

Being interested, asking open-ended questions and being open to learning from the person you are speaking to can create more meaningful conversations.

The better you listen to a person with dementia, the better your relationship will become. This will help the person to feel more connected, more valued and less isolated.

Sign up for news

The National Dementia Helpline is a free service that provides information and advice to all people who would like to know more about dementia or access services and support.

Dementia Australia’s national library service offers print and digital resources about dementia. Explore information related to these tips by accessing the library guide.