Imagine how isolating it would feel if you tried to speak to someone you love, but they were unable to understand you. Sadly, this can be a daily occurrence for someone with Parkinson’s disease. Understanding how to improve communication in Parkinson’s disease can become extremely challenging as the disease progresses, for a number of reasons:
- A quieter or monotone way of speaking
- Mumbling and stumbling over words
- Declining body language and movement
- A hunched posture
- Cognitive and memory problems
- An impaired ability to express emotions
- And more
When communicating with someone with Parkinson’s disease becomes difficult, it may be your first instinct to shy away to avoid making yourself or the other person feel uncomfortable. However, it’s important for both of you to find ways to continue to effectively communicate.
What Are Some Tips for Communicating With Someone With Parkinson’s?
Try these tips to overcome some of the communication challenges in Parkinson’s disease.
Speak to them face to face. Look the person in the eye. Focus on their facial expressions, gestures, and body language (even though these may be minimal as a result of the disease).
Take your time. Patience is key. Slow down your speech, and be sure to enunciate your words clearly. Allow the person as much time as needed to communicate.
Use repetition when necessary. If cognitive functioning is declining, repeating or rephrasing what you’re saying can help provide a memory boost.
Ask “yes or no” questions. Keep any questions you ask the person simple. Open-ended questions can be challenging for someone with Parkinson’s, so phrase in a way to allow the person to respond with yes, no, or another type of brief answer.
Our care team at Amy’s Helping Hands is experienced in supporting those with Parkinson’s disease. Contact us for additional tips or for hands-on assistance with care needs at home.
