Hi Mum, it's me!

Hi Mum, it's me!
Calling someone on the telephone who has dementia can be a tricky conversation to have!

It may go something like this:

"It's me, mum!" 
"Who?"
" ME! Don't you recognise my voice? I'm your son!"

And so it could continue!

Talking on the telephone is a challenging skill for those with cognitive difficulties. Often hearing impairments could make it even more challenging, in which case an audio boost telephone could help or using speaker phone.

Without the visual cue of who the person is talking, it can be very confusing and disorientating for those with Dementia.

Similarly it is upsetting for the person calling to think that mum or dad or spouse does not know who they are. Remaining on topic of conversation and being able to end a call are all challenging for someone with Dementia.

So to call or not to call?

If the person receiving the call enjoys the conversation and if you are able to accept it for what it is (that they may not know who you are) it can still  be a pleasant conversation! If so, pick up the phone and ring ring!