Why language matters in dementia care
Written by Caroline Johnson-Nwosu, dementia lead nurse
One way to improve care for people with dementia is by understanding the impact of our behaviour and our choice of words used in describing people. Therefore, this blog to mark the start of Dementia Action Week will focus on some of the language used in dementia and the impact.
The importance of language
By far language is the preferred method of communication in our culture – the fuel we use to empower our desires and that of others, and to direct our energy. Language has an immense power and its impact depends entirely on how we use it. Eco-Literacy (2014) suggested that for one to share and interpret experiences, build connections, promote understanding for each other, the power of language is required.
However, words are so often used automatically and unconsciously and as such, we have learned to treat them lightly. Understandably, in our daily conversation, most of our words are spoken from habit, convenience and social obligation rather than from real and clear intent. It can be said that social construct of community can impact ones thinking, idea and behaviour as most people adapt their behaviour, manner of thinking and approach according to what they hear and observe.
Swaffer, K. (2015) reinforced the power of language and stressed that words use will impact on how people living with dementia are being seen or treated. Language is essential as it is used when one wants to influence, encourage and change people’s thinking and that each word has it meaning which can impact ones understanding
The use of “non-conscious” language in dementia care and its impact
The argument here is that, it is important to note that because a person is diagnosed and living with dementia, this should not mean that the person is referred to as a sufferer, victim, demented, dementia patient, lack right to make choice, afflicted, snail, feeder, wanderer, behavioural problem, loss of self, to mention but few. These words can only contribute negatively to the lives of those living with dementia, their families and carers. These words will be interpreted as if the person living with dementia has no life, are hopeless, helpless or do not deserve to live (DEEP Guide 2014).
For example, “wandering” means that the person is walking without a purpose, what we seem to not understand is that we might not comprehend what the person is searching for when walking as the person living with dementia might find it difficult to express his or her intention verbally. It is therefore our responsibility to identify ways to understand the individual and how to create the activity of ‘walking’ meaningful for that individual.
I am not arguing that the word “dementia’’ should not be used when describing people living with this condition, but that language around it at present could be better adjusted to remove the unintended impact on the people. Alzheimer’s Society (2018) stressed that the language used will influence millions of people and that people living with dementia have a name they prefer to be addressed with and have the right to choose how they want to be treated.
No matter how busy we are or how quickly we want to get a job finished, people living with dementia have a history, personality, relationships and desire and therefore their condition should not be the major characteristics of who they are (Alzheimer’s Society 2018). No one will want to be called inappropriate names or to be addressed negatively. Negative language can only bring sadness, low self-esteem, depressed mood, isolation, and stress to the individual addressed.
Some people living with dementia according to Alzheimer-Europe (2013) do not see their condition as an issue for themselves however, it may affect their families and therefore may then be a problem. This could be with the way that dementia was generally perceived. It may also have been influenced by a comparatively lower level of care and support, and fewer treatment options therefore there is a need for serious culture change movement for people living with dementia and their family. Non-conscious language use in describing people living with dementia can impact on the person’s behaviour, attitude and how they see themselves.
Words and their associated meanings
Language is not the issue but attached meanings based on what is being transmitted to society or group of people. This can colour people’s understanding of the subject, bearing in mind that we are all in most cases subjective in our understandings.
Our responsibility therefore is to realise the potential that language has to transform our lives and those of other people, including those living with dementia, and knowing this, to pay a great deal more attention to our utterances. In this case, we should be as determined to get our language “in shape” as we take account of its consequences.
- Read more and find useful resources for our dementia care