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Alzheimer's and dementia: Tips for better communication

What to expect

A person with dementia may have difficulty remembering words or communicating clearly. You might notice patterns in conversations, including:

  • Having trouble with finding the right word
  • Substituting words
  • Describing an object rather than naming it
  • Repeating words, stories or questions
  • Mixing unrelated ideas or phrases together
  • Losing a train of thought
  • Speaking less often
  • Reverting to a first language