Ten tips to help you communicate with a person with dementia and sight loss

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There are six sight loss guides in the top tips series. This is the fifth guide of six.

The advice given here will help you feel confident about talking to a person with dementia and sight loss:

  1. Gain an understanding of the effects of the eye condition(s) and position yourself to minimise their impact
  2. Ensure the 3 C’s - correct, clean, and current glasses are worn
  3. Minimise “visual noise” by wearing block colours and minimal accessories
  4. Gain the person’s attention by saying their name first and/or by a gentle touch on the arm
  5. Introduce yourself and what you do
  6. Tell the person when you are moving away from them or leaving the room
  7. Speak clearly using simple, short sentences, giving only one idea, question or instruction at a time
  8. Follow the OWL principle - Observe, Wait and Listen for responses
  9. Ask if guidance or support is required and provide in a consistent manner
  10. Provide information in an alternative/accessible way such as audio, large print or braille.

Download the Ten tips to help you communicate with a person with dementia and sight loss  as an accessible PDF.