Communication Barriers Prevent Brits From Visiting Relatives With Dementia
Nearly four in ten British adults actively avoid visiting family members who are living with dementia, according to concerning new research that highlights significant communication challenges within families affected by the condition.
The Heartbreaking Statistics Behind Avoidance
The study, which surveyed 2,000 adults across the UK, reveals that 37% of respondents feel unsure about how best to communicate with relatives who have dementia. This communication uncertainty represents the primary reason for avoiding visits, creating what experts describe as a heartbreaking barrier to family connection.
Further findings show that 22% of those surveyed feel uncertain about how to behave or what to say during visits, while 38% lack confidence in their ability to interact effectively with someone living with dementia. Perhaps most poignantly, 53% of respondents fear the day their relative no longer recognises them, making this the number one concern among those with family members affected by the condition.
The Emotional Toll on Families
The research commissioned by Care UK paints a picture of emotional strain, with 26% of respondents describing seeing their relative with dementia as too painful. Additionally, 57% believe that communication barriers frequently prevent meaningful interactions with their loved ones, creating what many describe as a growing distance in relationships that were once close.
The most challenging aspects of communication identified include:
- Having to repeat things frequently (43%)
- Struggling to understand exactly what the person with dementia means (40%)
- Not being able to reference shared memories from the past
- Navigating confusion and changing symptoms as the condition progresses
A Critical Gap in Support and Guidance
Perhaps most concerning is the research's revelation about the lack of support available to families. A substantial 67% of respondents had never received any guidance or training on how to interact with someone with dementia, while 62% agreed there currently isn't enough support available for families affected by the condition.
According to the OnePoll.com figures, 76% of those surveyed would be likely to seek out resources or advice to help improve their communication with loved ones living with dementia. The key kinds of support they were looking for included guidance from dementia care professionals (52%) and support groups for family members (34%).
Practical Strategies for Better Communication
To address these challenges, Care UK has released a new guide titled Staying connected: A guide to dementia-friendly conversations, which features expert advice on approaching relatives living with the condition, especially when they become confused.
The most effective communication methods identified in the research include:
- Using simple, clear language
- Speaking slowly and calmly
- Listening patiently without interrupting
- Being in a calm, quiet environment
- Speaking to loved ones face-to-face
Expert Perspective on Maintaining Connections
Jo Crossland, head of dementia and lifestyle at Care UK, commented on the findings, stating: When dementia progresses and the person living with it begins to exhibit more symptoms, it can be difficult for relatives and family carers to know what to do or say.
We know just how challenging it can be to watch a loved one change in ways you don't fully understand, which is why we want to show people you can still have meaningful interactions with relatives living with dementia by relaunching our Big Dementia Conversation.
Crossland emphasised that the best thing you can do is be patient and remember that they are still a person you care about – they may just be seeing and understanding the world a bit differently than before.
Moving Forward With Better Understanding
Crossland added: Awareness and understanding of dementia remains low, so people whose relatives have been diagnosed with the condition deserve to have access to the right resources to continue having a meaningful relationship with their loved ones.
It is our hope that the new guide will be able to provide both information and comfort to people supporting loved ones with this condition and enable them to feel more confident during conversations.
The nationwide care home provider states that their ultimate goal is to help break down the existing barriers to meaningful communication and ensure nothing stands in the way of families being together.
This research highlights a critical need for better dementia education and support systems across the UK, as families struggle to maintain connections with loved ones during what can be one of life's most challenging transitions.
