Understanding Nonverbal Communication Cues | ComfortCare Homes

The Power of Presence: Understanding Nonverbal Communication in Dementia Care

Caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia requires more than just meeting physical needs—it calls for patience, presence, and the ability to tune into nonverbal communication. 

At ComfortCare Homes in Wichita, we’ve seen time and again how slowing down, observing closely, and meeting residents where they are can transform a challenging moment into one of connection.

Why Nonverbal Communication Matters in Dementia Care

As dementia progresses, verbal communication often becomes more difficult. Words may not come easily, and sometimes, phrases are replaced with repetitions, substitutions, or misplaced focus. But while speech changes, emotions and needs are still expressed—often through gestures, body language, tone, or even where someone’s attention is directed.

For caregivers, this means that being attentive to what isn’t being said is just as important as listening to words. Eye contact, posture, facial expressions, and even agitation can all be cues pointing to an unmet need.

At ComfortCare Homes, we train our caregivers to look beneath the surface and use what we call “attentive presence”—an approach that validates a resident’s reality, rather than trying to force them into ours.

A Story of Seeing a New View

Recently, one of our new residents, Joe, was experiencing sundowning—a common period of increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon. Joe had always been a man who spent his evenings outside, “piddling in the yard” after a day’s work. We had been encouraging him to spend time in the backyard, a safe and enclosed space, but on this day, it wasn’t enough.

Joe became upset, knocking on the locked front windows with his cane. Despite the team’s efforts to redirect him, his agitation grew. When I arrived, I didn’t try to argue or correct him. Instead, I leaned into Joe’s perspective.

I examined the window with him and said, “You’re right, Joe, something doesn’t look right here. Let’s go check it from the other side.”

Together, we went outside to the front yard. While inspecting the window, I noticed the shrub nearby was overgrown. When I asked Joe what he thought, his face lit up. “Good lord, that is a mess—that’s what I’ve been saying for a while!”

In that moment, the agitation melted away. Joe and I worked together, pruning the shrub and tidying up. Afterward, I asked if the window looked better now. He smiled and said, “Well now what I see through it does.”

The window hadn’t been the problem at all—it was Joe’s instinctive need to be outside, working with his hands. By paying attention to his cues, meeting him in his version of the story, and validating his concern, we were able to uncover the real issue and meet his need safely.

Lessons in Attentive Dementia Care

This story highlights a few important lessons for dementia care:

• Presence over persuasion: Instead of correcting Joe, we entered his world.

• Nonverbal clues matter: His knocking and insistence about the window were signals pointing to a deeper need.

• Flexibility is key: What worked yesterday (redirecting to the backyard) didn’t work today. Care must adapt.

• Validation builds trust: By affirming Joe’s concern, we preserved his dignity and eased his anxiety.

Dementia Care with Compassion in Wichita

At ComfortCare Homes in Wichita, we believe that every person living with dementia deserves care that honors their individuality and life story. Sometimes this means a gentle redirection, other times it means pruning a shrub together. What matters most is being present, observant, and willing to see the world through their eyes.

If you are seeking memory care in Wichita, where compassion and person-centered approaches come first, we invite you to learn more about ComfortCare Homes. Here, attentive care isn’t just a philosophy—it’s our daily practice.