General Tips

General tips for communicating

• Choose a good place to talk: quiet, well-lit, and free from background noise (TV/radio off).
• Gain their full attention before you start.
• Be at the same eye level — avoid standing over them.
• Sit close without invading personal space.
• Keep your body language open and relaxed.
• Allow enough time and remain calm.
• Prepare key points you want to cover.
• Pick a time of day when communication is easier (e.g., mornings for some people).
• Avoid times when they’re hungry, tired, or in pain.

The way you speak matters

• Speak clearly and calmly, slightly slower than usual.
• Pause between sentences to give time to process and respond — silences are okay.
• Use short, simple sentences.
• Don’t raise your voice or speak sharply.
• Use a conversational style — avoid rapid-fire questions.
• Never speak in a condescending way.
• Be patient and respectful.
• If misunderstandings happen, a shared laugh can ease pressure — but never laugh at the person.
• Always include them in any conversation happening in their presence to support identity and reduce isolation.

What you say is important

• Avoid too many or overly complicated questions.
• Offer choices, but not too many — introduce one idea at a time.
• Ask one question at a time; when possible, use yes/no questions or clear alternatives:
  • “Would you like to go for a walk?”
  • “Would you like water or orange juice?”
• Break information into smaller chunks.
• If not understood, rephrase rather than repeat.
• Prefer short, regular conversations over long, infrequent ones.
• If they say something you know isn’t true, look for the meaning behind it rather than contradicting:
  • e.g., wanting to “pick the children up from school” may reflect a desire to feel useful or involved.
  • Consider meaningful, engaging activities to meet that underlying need.

Specific advice for coping with restrictions due to Coronavirus

1. Have a routine

A familiar daily routine builds purpose, reduces anxiety, and makes time indoors easier.

• Agree a simple daily schedule and place it somewhere visible.
• Make a “To-Do” list for long-postponed tasks.
• Keep tasks simple and manageable; focus on one thing at a time.
• Break activities into clear, small steps.

2. Keep active

Even with restrictions, staying active supports independence and wellbeing. Small, regular activity makes a difference.

Be physically active (indoors or outdoors as appropriate):

• Try micro-activities during daily routines: heel raises while the kettle boils, sit-to-stands during TV adverts, bicep curls with tins while waiting for the microwave.
• Encourage involvement in food prep, cooking, and household tasks.
• Dance to favourite music.
• Explore seated activity ideas.
• Go for a walk together if permitted and safe to do so, keeping distance from people outside your household.
• Gardening: weeding, planting seeds, and watching them grow.

Be mentally active — choose activities based on interests and preferences:

• Reading (books, magazines, newspapers) or listening to audiobooks.
• Jigsaws, puzzles, word games.
• Listening to music or favourite radio programmes.
• Watching favourite films or TV shows.
• Using game or creativity apps.
• Knitting or crocheting.

Be socially active — stay connected:

• Brief chats with neighbours from the door, window, or garden (following current guidance).
• Keep in touch by phone, post, text, email, or video call (e.g., Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom).
• Schedule a regular daily check-in time to look forward to.
• Join supportive online communities.

3. Follow good hygiene

Help prevent spread by keeping hands and respiratory hygiene front of mind:

• Wash hands often with soap and water; if unavailable, use hand sanitiser or antibacterial wipes.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue (or your elbow if no tissue) — never your hands.
• Bin used tissues immediately.
• Avoid touching your face.