Nonverbal Communication, Trust, & Dementia!

Non-verbal communication typically represents 80-90% of what is being conveyed. It includes tone, facial expression, stance, gestures, and pace. Increased awareness of and facility with sending and receiving nonverbal messages can help build trust and psychological safety. Even when there is a cognitive issue that limits understanding of verbal language such as with folks who have dementia.

The best way to describe what I mean is to share an example that comes from working as an RN in a long term care facility a few years ago when I was writing the first edition of Successful Nurse Communication . Here I was a Charge Nurse for secure (locked) units where folks with moderate to severe dementia lived.

One of my tasks was giving medication to people who couldn’t swallow pills. Certain medications would be crushed and mixed with something that was easier and hopefully more enjoyable to swallow, like applesauce, yogurt, or for some, even better, ice-cream. 

Even so, sometimes, residents would make a face that told me the experience was gross! In that moment, I would try to respond to their nonverbal message.

“Oh that didn’t taste very good did it?  I’m sorry!”

While cognitive processing of what I was saying verbally was probably limited, I believe most of my patients sensed the sincerity and compassion conveyed in my facial expression, tone, and other body language.

And it felt so important. Did residents feel validated and heard on some level? Did this help them feel honored? To trust and feel connected to me? I think so. I think it contributed to positive energy on the unit. Sometimes when I would arrive for my shift, people who couldn’t say my name or didn’t know I was a nurse, or why they were where they were would wave to me and smile. In their nonverbal expressions they seemed more relaxed, more trusting and safer!

Over the years I’ve been teaching, writing about, and researching communication and related skills. They are tough skills to learn yet super important whether we are talking with our colleagues or patients and families. I’ve learned a lot about what does and doesn’t work! If you work in healthcare or mental health care, check out these free, online sessions so I can share some of what I’ve learned.

“YES AND” 101 for Healthcare & Mental Health Care Visionaries

Free – Online – 90 Min Sessions (they are the same!)

1. Thursday, August 3rd, from 1-2:30p EST.
2. Thursday, September 21st, from 4-5:30p EST.

Taking it to the Streets!

Also, if you have someone living with dementia in your life — or want to be part of creatively transforming the “tragedy narrative” of dementia — please check out the Reimagining Dementia Coalition and their upcoming campaign, “Taking it to the Streets“?

They are doing wonderful work and I am honored to participate with the above September event! Please take a look!