Living Well With Dementia/LWWD/Tools/Communication

Communication is multi-facited and to be effective must consider all the following:

• Self Awareness:Be mindful! Think about your communication style, who you are speaking to, your choice of verbal and non-verbal and be sensitive to how the other person is receiving you communication.
• Verbal Communication:Choose words that will increase your listeners understanding of what you are trying to communicate
• Non-Verbal Communication:Includes all communication other than words. The most influential part of communicating.  People will believe more of what yo do than what you say.
• Listening and Responding:We spend most of our communication time listening. Need to be in the moment, listen for meaning and not to respond. Try to understand the other’s perspective when listening-be other oriented
• Adapt Your Skills:Adjust your communication including both what you are communicating and how. Your intended receiver will determine your choices.