Preparing for the Changes Before They Happen

One of the most heart-wrenching shifts in dementia is the gradual decline in verbal communication. Words once spoken with ease begin to fade, leaving families and carers wondering how to maintain connection, express love, and meet everyday needs.

Creating a communication plan early—while the individual can still express their preferences—gives everyone a clear and compassionate roadmap for the future. It empowers the person living with dementia, ensures dignity in care, and preserves the emotional closeness that words alone can no longer carry.

This form of advance planning is just as vital as writing a will or an Advance Health Directive, yet it’s often overlooked.

Why Early Communication Planning Matters

As Advance Care Planning Australia advises, planning ahead allows individuals to retain autonomy and make their wishes known in a clear and calm environment.

For those recently diagnosed, it’s an opportunity to reflect on how they’d like others to communicate with them when words become harder to find.

Effective communication plans support:

• Better care decisions aligned with personal values
• Reduced frustration and anxiety for everyone involved
• Increased emotional connection through alternative methods
• Safer caregiving, particularly in medical or emergency situations

These benefits become especially meaningful as the dementia journey progresses.

What to Include in a Communication Plan

Creating a personalised communication plan may involve support from speech therapists, carers, or dementia specialists. Start with these key components:

🗣 Preferred Verbal Cues

Capture specific words or phrases that bring comfort or clarity. For example:

• “I need a rest.”
• “Please help me.”
• “Let’s go outside.”

Record these with voice or video using a platform like Evaheld and store them securely in the Evaheld Legacy Vault for loved ones and carers to reference later.

🖐️ Non-Verbal Cues and Gestures

Note hand signals, facial expressions, or actions that might indicate needs—thirst, discomfort, joy, or pain. This is particularly helpful for carers who may not know the individual well.

📷 Visual Communication Tools

Use picture cards or photo albums for common phrases (toilet, drink, pain, food preferences). These help when words are lost but meaning remains.

Family Legacy Series offers printable visual tools to help document and personalise these preferences.

🎵 Sound or Music Cues

Songs, rhythms, and tones often remain accessible long after speech declines. Document which sounds bring comfort or assist with routines (e.g. bedtime music, calming playlists, voice of a loved one).

Music therapy is supported by Dementia Support Australia as a valuable engagement tool when communication becomes difficult.

Personalising for Emotional Connection

Verbal loss doesn’t mean emotional disconnection.

Documenting emotional preferences in the communication plan can help carers understand:

• What calms the individual
• What triggers distress
• How to express love and reassurance

Record a personal message or video for future viewing using Evaheld, creating a timeless connection with loved ones.

As seen in the Evaheld blog, these recordings become a powerful tool for comfort, particularly for grandchildren and future generations.

Tips for Families and Carers

According to Nurse Info, carers who have clear communication guidance experience less stress and fewer emotional misunderstandings.

Encourage carers to:

• Maintain eye contact and slow speech
• Use touch gently and respectfully
• Observe body language for feedback
• Avoid correcting or interrupting
• Use the person’s name consistently

These actions uphold dignity and keep the person at the centre of their care.

The Online Will Blog has additional checklists for family carers preparing legacy and support documents.

For the Sandwich Generation

If you're supporting both ageing parents and younger children, a communication plan helps you:

• Brief others who may provide care
• Keep the person involved in family rituals
• Honour their wishes when you're not present

Use tools like Evaheld to record these preferences in their voice or yours. Sharing this within your family can ease difficult transitions and avoid reactive decision-making.

Combining Communication and Legacy

Even if verbal communication fades, legacy preservation can continue:

• Record simple daily activities now to replay later
• Use video to capture how your loved one lights up at a familiar sound or phrase
• Add memory-based reflections in writing or audio while they’re still able

These artefacts can be preserved using the Evaheld Legacy Vault, where they’re stored securely and privately.

Advance Health Directive documents can include a note linking to your communication plan or stored messages for carers.

Final Thoughts

Words may fade—but connection doesn’t have to. A thoughtful, proactive communication plan ensures that your loved one is still heard, respected, and understood when verbal language becomes a struggle.

By taking the time to create this legacy of care, you’re giving your family and support team the most meaningful gift of all: clarity, connection, and peace of mind.