[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/how-to-talk-to-someone-with-dementia-on-the-phone-2\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/how-to-talk-to-someone-with-dementia-on-the-phone-2\/","headline":"How to Talk to Someone With Dementia on the Phone","name":"How to Talk to Someone With Dementia on the Phone","description":"Maintaining connections with our loved ones is vital, regardless of the circumstances. It can be especially important to those living […]","datePublished":"2025-02-18","dateModified":"2025-12-03","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/author\/ceastway\/#Person","name":"Developer","url":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/author\/ceastway\/","identifier":1,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8ea7fc410413ee0b715aee4c6b2d912c09623af5f85eaca6f6d7e0a2c223e1df?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8ea7fc410413ee0b715aee4c6b2d912c09623af5f85eaca6f6d7e0a2c223e1df?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Fox Trail Memory Care","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/logo.png","url":"http:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/logo.png","width":474,"height":250}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/senior-talking-on-phone-and-looking-at-laptop-screen.jpg","url":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/senior-talking-on-phone-and-looking-at-laptop-screen.jpg","height":836,"width":1254},"url":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/how-to-talk-to-someone-with-dementia-on-the-phone-2\/","about":["dementia"],"wordCount":847,"articleBody":"Maintaining connections with our loved ones is vital, regardless of the circumstances. It can be especially important to those living with Dementia. When talking on the phone with someone with Dementia, practicing patience and following simple tips can help your conversation be more effective. Fox Trail Memory Care Living provides memory care services to people in north and central New Jersey, as well as Manhattan, NY. Here, our team discusses how to talk to someone with Dementia over the phone.How Does Dementia Affect Communication?Dementia, Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and similar cognitive disorders cause nerve cell loss. Slowly, these disorders damage neurons in the parts of the brain in charge of language, social behavior, memory, and reasoning. The severity depends on what stage of disease progression your loved one is in. During the early stages, they may have trouble finding the right words. In the later stages, they may be unable to communicate with you at all.Generally, Dementia can affect your loved one\u2019s ability to understand complex sentences, follow conversations, or recognize familiar voices. These challenges are especially prevalent over the phone when they can\u2019t rely on visual cues or body language.Preparing to Talk to Someone With DementiaBefore you have a phone conversation with your loved one with Dementia, there are a few steps you can take to make them more comfortable. These include:Consider the time of day: Understand how the time of day affects their ability to communicate. Are they more coherent in the morning or evening?Track good and bad days: Talk to your loved one on their good days and adapt to their bad days as best as you can.Assess the environment: Your loved one may be overwhelmed with unfamiliar and busy spaces. Encourage them to find a quiet, calm place with minimal distractions.Think about conversation topics beforehand: Going into your phone call with prewritten conversation starters can help the conversation flow more naturally. For example, ask their caregivers about recent activities your loved one has participated in.Following these tips before the call can help reduce your anxiety and make your loved ones feel more comfortable.What to Do During Your CallThere are also several tips you can implement over the duration of the conversation:Use Simple Language and Avoid Complex TopicsPeople with Dementia can have a hard time following long conversations. Using simple language and short sentences is important. Speak slowly, distinctly, calmly, and reassuringly. Avoid asking open-ended questions or giving too many choices. Keep the conversation light and positive while focusing on topics your loved one remembers and enjoys.Show Empathy and RespectEven if your loved one can\u2019t remember who you are, you know who they are. Use their name and speak in a friendly and polite tone of voice. Listen patiently, and don\u2019t rush the conversation. A person with Dementia may feel frustrated or anxious, so validate their feelings. Reassuring them you are there for them can help ease their anxiety as well.Use Visual Aids or TechnologyVisual aids or technology can help facilitate communication and engagement for some people with Dementia. You can send photos, videos, or postcards that they can look at or hold while you talk on the phone. You can also use video devices or apps, such as FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom, to see each other and have a more interactive conversation. However, it is important to note that some people with Dementia may find using technology overwhelming.Encourage Reminiscing and Validate FeelingsOne way to connect with someone with Dementia is to encourage reminiscing. Reminiscing involves recalling positive memories or experiences from the past, such as a family gathering, a favorite vacation, or a meaningful hobby. Tapping into your loved one\u2019s long-term memory bank is a great way to stimulate their mind.Validation involves acknowledging and accepting the person\u2019s feelings and perspectives without judgment or correction. To encourage reminiscing and validation, you can use prompts like:\u201cTell me more about that.\u201d\u201cWhat did you like about that?\u201d\u201cThat sounds like it was important to you.\u201dConnect With Your Loved Ones at Fox Trail Memory Care LivingSome keys to a successful phone conversation with someone living with Dementia are patience, empathy, and a little bit of planning. It\u2019s about making your loved one feel valued, heard, and loved. There could be hiccups along the way, but remember, every conversation is a chance to strengthen and maintain a relationship with your aging relative.At Fox Trail Memory Care Living, we know how stressful and difficult it can be to care for a relative with Dementia. We provide Dementia care services in a secure environment, so you can have peace of mind knowing your loved one is safe. Our communities offer several amenities to help our residents live comfortable and fulfilling lives, including:On-site wellness programmingCommunity activitiesHome-cooked mealsPrivate and furnished apartmentsMedication managementPhysician visitsContact us today to schedule a tour at one of our facilities or to learn more about our support services for caregivers."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Talk to Someone With Dementia on the Phone","item":"https:\/\/foxtrailmemorycare.com\/blog\/how-to-talk-to-someone-with-dementia-on-the-phone-2\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]