Why you should read this article:

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To enhance your understanding of the communication difficulties experienced by people with dementia

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To reflect on how your behaviour can affect, negatively or positively, the well-being of people with dementia

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To read about practical approaches to supporting person-centred communication with people with dementia

Communication is a two-way process of exchanging or sharing information and is an essential element of the nursing process. Challenges with communication are a feature of all types of dementia, so understanding how dementia affects communication and how to support people is important for all nurses. This article provides an overview of communication in dementia care. The authors draw on the literature on communication and dementia to present evidence-based, practical approaches for supporting person-centred communication with people with dementia.