Tommy on Conversation

Contributions from other Persons Living with Dementia symptoms:
Tommy Dunne,
with Alzheimers-type dementia.

Here are some of Tommy’s tweets on topic of conversation:

“Conversation is a good example of a simple activity that is meaningful and beneficial for a person with dementia.” – Tommy Dunne 2017Oct16

((but))

“Typical conversation with someone with dementia
Hi
you ok
Yea
weathers awful
yea
Anyone been to see U
No
Got to go see you tomorrow
bye.”
– Tommy Dunne 2014Feb09

PARTNERSHIP Aspect of Conversation:

“the art of a conversation
knowing when to talk and knowing when to listen.”
– Tommy Dunne 2017Aug14

“Conversation is a process of ‘give & take’ vital to sharing meaning,
helping ppl keep a sense of themselves & participating in life.” – Tommy Dunne 2017Apr24

“Never talk over our head as if we are not there
– especially if you’re talking about Us
always Include us in conversations”. – Tommy Dunne 2017Aug31

“The trouble my peers & myself have is that ppl talk so fast when they R in a group we have trouble following the conversation.” – Tommy Dunne 2016Sep22

“Multiple conversations around us are so confusing and isolating.” – Tommy Dunne 2016Dec12

“Others, whether family, friends, strangers or health professionals
tend to address Carer &
no longer include us in the conversation.” – Tommy Dunne 2017Aug21

“When having a conversation with a Person with Dementia
please listen 2 us
instead of trying to think of what to say next.” – Tommy Dunne 2015Feb25

“Empathy requires U 2give time & space for PWD to find their words &
Share responsibility for steering the course of a conversation.” – Tommy Dunne 2016Jun20

“Talk to the PWD
listen 2 their wishes
&work in partnership with them.” – Tommy Dunne 2016Dec01

STARTER Tips:

“it only takes one word to start a conversation.” – Tommy Dunne 2013Dec13

“When no one else does anything to engage their attention the PLWD has no choice but to retreat into their own thoughts.”
– Tommy Dunne 2018Apr09

“Over time U may notice that the PWD starts fewer conversations themselves you then need to know Ways to encourage communication.” – Tommy Dunne 2016Sep22

“Museums can engage PLWD & improve wellbeing
When PWD see or handle objects it can trigger memories & stimulate conversation.” – Tommy Dunne 2017May01

“Picture books can be a useful tool as
they help promote conversation & dialogue which in turn can have a whole host of benefits.” – Tommy Dunne 2015Jun04

“Memory boxes are not just for people with dementia
everyone should have one,
they are a great conversation starter.
((Birth)) is the time to start them ….”
– Tommy Dunne 2016Dec22

“People don’t know how to start a conversation with someone living with dementia
that’s why the PWD life story book is important.” – Tommy Dunne 2017Apr 24

“I would recommend downloading the House of Memories app
(just type that into Google)
Great conversation starts on that.” – Tommy Dunne 2016Oct10

“First:
Make sure you get the PWD’s full attention before you start talking to us
(the times I’ve missed half a conversation).” – Tommy Dunne 2016Sep 22

“You should never start a conversation with
“remember when
or
what was the name of what’s his name that use to work …”.”
– Tommy Dunne 2017Apr24

CONTENT Tips:

“The conversation needs to be done sooner rather than later.
Death is something we will all have to face
So why not talk about it.” – Tommy Dunne 2017Sep21

“I’m fighting everyday for dementia to be talked about everyday in conversation
it’s only way to kill the stigma.” – Tommy Dunne 2014Sep11

“please don’t keep saying Do you Remember it but puts pressure on us.” – Tommy Dunne 2016Dec01

Please DO:

“Make time to listen,
have regular conversations
make sure you enjoy being together &
create a life story book.”
– Tommy Dunne 2017Aug31

“It gets harder & harder to follow conversations when you have dementia
so it’s important to look at the PWD when speaking to us.” – Tommy Dunne 2017Jan04

“There are ways to support conversation
give, PWD enough time to find the word,
but not so long that the person becomes embarrassed.” – Tommy Dunne 2016Oct10

“There are tremendous benefits in seeking out ways to involve younger children in activities, conversations and caring.
Research has shown that intergenerational activities have a more positive impact on a person with dementia than other types of activity.” – Tommy Dunne 2018Feb12

“PWD can still have a sense of humour & still engage in conversation
listen 2Us &
U will learn a lot
& Never ever give up on Us.” – Tommy Dunne 2014May17

Trouble-Shooting:

“music/songs reaches the parts of the brain conversation sometimes can’t.” – Tommy Dunne 2015Jul06

“When they say it’s gone
I say
let’s go over what we were talkin about …
it comes back to them.” – Tommy Dunne 2014Mar12

((response)) “She will ((not?)) always B there always have conversations with her tell her whats going on in your life we will find away back.” – Tommy Dunne 2013Dec09

((when asked for advice)) “We only lost the ability to communicate not understand that’s what makes it so frustrating. You should still have a conversation with your mum as if she was giving you the answers you want. Play her fav music and sing give loads of hugs and hold hands.” – Tommy Dunne 2018May14

“… it’s like learning a new language understanding a person with dementia. You have to understand what’s not been said as much as what is been said” — Tommy Dunne 2018May31

“There are times when silence itself is a form of communication, but people are not comfortable with silence. Holding someone’s hand and smiling can say a 1000 words” — Tommy Dunne 2018May31

Related Links.
Right-click on colored text and selecting “open in new tab”,
will allow you to return to this tab easily (at top of window) when you finish.
Remember, Links are on colored text, not the pictures.

Suggestions >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2014/12/12/suggestions-understand-audio-communication-dementia-symptoms/

Helping PWD Speak >> https://truthfulkindness.com/index-persons-with-dementia-pwd/jennifer-bute/helpg-pwd-speak/

Tommy’s index for other pages is at >> https://truthfulkindness.com/index-persons-with-dementia-pwd/tommy-dunne/

Explanatory page for Alzheimers-type of Dementia is here >> https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease

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