There’s a moment most caregivers hit where they begin to talk too much.

But first, you slow down your speech. 

You begin to repeat yourself. You make efforts to try to be clearer, more patient, more precise.

Because it should help. 

And sometimes… it used to.

But then you notice something confusing.

The more you explain…the less it seems to land.

They look at you differently. They get frustrated.
Or they agree — and then ask the same thing again a few minutes later.

It can FEEL like they’re not listening. Or not trying. Maybe even being stubborn. 

But in most cases, what’s actually happening is something else.

The brain is having a harder time:

• holding multiple pieces of information
  

• following longer explanations
  

• organizing what you’re saying into something usable
  
  

It's really important to remember that when you are supporting someone living with symptoms of dementia or cognitive change that -

When you give more words…It becomes more to process. 

It doesn’t typically give more clarity.

This is the shift:

It’s not about explaining better.
It’s about simplifying for your person what their brain can receive so they can interpret.

Instead of:
“Well, we already talked about this, and remember we said we were going to go after lunch because…”

You try:
“Lunch first. Then we go.”

Experiment with sticking to nouns and verbs.

Because when you keep it short and sweet...

You’re clear.  And they hear.

It may feel different and take some practice for you to relax and keep it simpler. 

But that's ok, and we promise, it's worth your attention.

When you can learn and practice meeting them where they are...

You might just feel the tension drop - for both of you ;-)