• Be patient and reassuring and give the person time to express themselves.
  • Repeat back to the person what you think they have said if you need to clarify that you have understood correctly and fully.
  • Ask ‘closed’ questions requiring only a yes or no response or a choice between two options e.g. ‘do you want a drink?’, ‘coffee or tea?’, thus reducing the demand and stress to get out the right words.
  • Encourage the person to use gestures such as pointing.
  • If the person is able to write encourage this; some people may find it easier to write the word.
  • If you can make a sensible, ‘educated’ guess at what the person is struggling to communicate do so and see if this helps.
  • If the person has a communication aid (e.g. electronic voice output aid, alphabet or picture board), encourage them to use it.
  • Enlist help from a family member or carer if present – they may have a better idea of some of the things that the person may need to communicate about.
  • If person still cannot communicate what they mean, reassure and try again later after a break.
  • Reducing noise levels and other distractions (e.g. switch off T.V.) can support the person to communicate more successfully.
  • Follow advice from a Speech and Language Therapist about how best to support the person to communicate effectively.