Dementia is a condition that grows more severe over time. It steadily affects various parts of the brain, causing patients to lose memory, awareness of time, and even their ability to speak. However, this usually happens during the later stages of dementia when senior patients are prone to quit speaking or verbally expressing themselves.

Here’s what you need to know about why people with dementia often quit speaking.

Why Patients With Dementia Stop Talking

Dementia patients may lose their ability to understand or speak a language in the later stages. This condition is called aphasia. Aphasia predominantly occurs because of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, brain injury, or a stroke. There are several kinds of aphasia, and the intensity of each case can differ from person to person.

Therefore, even a minor kind of speech impairment can be quite challenging for the patient and their caregiver.

What To Do When A Dementia Patient Stops Talking

Focus on facial expressions and body language

Even though your loved one with dementia has stopped talking, they can still express themselves through the expressions they make. After saying something, give a little time for your loved one to process your dialogue and use their facial expressions or other nonverbal cues to continue the conversation.

Maintain eye contact

Maintaining eye contact with your loved one with dementia helps them to feel heard — using their name can have the same effect. Eye contact can also affirm that they are holding attention to whatever you’re communicating.

Look for other cues of discomfort

The inability to clearly express what one is feeling can be exceedingly difficult for someone, especially if that person has dementia. When your loved one is unable to express themselves, you can look for these signs:

• Refusing to eat certain foods
• Making strange sounds
• Getting snappy or aggressive for no reason
• Neglecting to do something that used to be routine after a change is made

Dementia is a complicated condition to monitor. Your loved one probably feels highly vulnerable due to their inability to communicate. Therefore, ensure that you pay special attention to their body language to make them feel more comfortable.

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