Have you ever thought about the importance of having the ability of speech and communication?
On average, a baby takes 12-18 months to start talking verbally but has been communicating with the parents since birth. Their crying, body movements and facial movements are all methods of the baby trying to tell you what they want and all without being able to speak.
How would you feel if you suddenly lost the ability to talk, have a conversation or be able to tell people what you need? What would you do? Convert to writing? Using body language? Make noises? Or simply withdrawer into you own world?
What emotions would you experience? Anger? Frustration? Anxiety? Fear? Loneliness?
If you truly were to sit and think about this, you may start to realise how terrifying this experience would be, and for people that have dementia, this is their reality, their future, their life.
The Dementia Dictionary is 100% free and built to start to translate this ‘Language of Dementia’. This is a universal language that is naturally formed and used by people that have lost the capacity to speak as they always have. Working together, we aim to understand this language, re-connect with the people we love and support and make that journey of dementia as beautiful as possible.
The content written within the Dementia Dictionary is driven by the thousands of Dementia Interpreters (see partners page) that are committed to translating the 'Language of Dementia'. We all have a need to stay connected to the amazing people that have dementia and through discussions, we can interpret the meaning and translate what and why the person is doing something and then transform into an understandable language.
Every person in every culture has a need to communicate and we do this every day without thinking and in most cases it will not be the words that we speak that will communicate how we feel. The clothes we wear, the home we live in, the car we drive, the food we eat and so much more communicates something about us. As human beings, we naturally interpret these forms of communications and unintentionally translate them and make assumptions about a person. But why is translating this language so important?
Doctors are basically interpreters; they interpret what the body is communicating and translate symptoms to direct them to which illness the person may have. Through these translations they can then prescribe the right medication or decide the next stages to make the person well again. Without having the ability to translate the symptoms, people would not live as healthy and long life as we do today. Over time, these interpretations have become clearer, and doctors now have the ability to translate what the body is telling them earlier and improve outcomes for the people they serve.
Translating the Language of Dementia is just as important, we need to stay connected longer with our loved ones and make the journey of dementia as inclusive as possible, interpretations will continually develop over time but one day we will have a full dictionary that will improve the lives for all.
Translations are published into the Dementia Dictionary for the good of everybody and you can access them freely on this website.
Discussing previous experiences from people that work with or live with people that have dementia ensures that translations are diverse, accurate, informed, and trustworthy.
Imagine a world where no one spoke your language and you didn’t speak theirs?
How would you tell them what you wanted, how could you explain that you have a need, want or simply show them what you are feeling?
People with dementia will start to form a new type of language using actions, behaviours, body language, noises or situations and this is called ‘The Language of dementia’.
Our goal is to translate this new communication into an understandable language and reconnect people with dementia to the world.
Are you supporting someone with dementia and have questions that you would like advice about from skilled professionals? Would you like help to keep your loved ones at home as long as possible?
This subscription service is a forum that connects you to dementia interpreters across the globe. You can ask questions, get advice, learn about services in your area or just have reassurance. Cost: £6 per month via direct debit.
*Please note that we cannot answer anything medically about a person with dementia and you will be directed to a doctor for medication or medical advice*
This service is confidential and fully GDPR compliant
The Dementia Dictionary and Dementia Interpreter Forum are now available as an app. It is completely FREE to download and you login using the same details as you would to access the forum online. Whenever you add a translation, comment, or make changes to your profile it will show up on the website and if you make the changes on the website, they will show on the app.
You can now access the Dictionary on the go and get the answers you need quicker than ever before. Dementia Interpreters can now take part in forum discussions on a smartphone through the app.
If you need to ask a question for other interpreters to help you understand, then do so from your phone and get them finding answers quicker.
To download the app you can use the QR codes provided on simply click the buttons below to get the app on your iPhone or Android today!