title: Alzheimer’s’s Language Disorders: Understanding Aphasia and Communicating Effectively
description: Comprehensive guide to Alzheimer’s’s language disorders: types of aphasia, progression, impact on communication, adaptation strategies, non-verbal communication techniques, practical advice for caregivers to maintain connection despite word loss.
keywords: Alzheimer’s’s language disorders, Alzheimer’s’s aphasia, word loss, Alzheimer’s’s communication, word finding difficulties, speaking Alzheimer’s’s, understanding Alzheimer’s’s, non-verbal language
[/META]
Alzheimer’s’s, language disorders, aphasia, communication, word loss, word finding difficulties, speech, comprehension, non-verbal language
[/TAGS]
Reading time: 29 minutes
“Mom is searching for her words, she says ‘the thing for eating’ instead of ‘fork’.” “Dad always repeats the same phrases.” “She no longer understands what I’m saying.” “We can no longer have real conversations.” “Words disappear, and with them, our connection.”
Language disorders are at the heart of the Alzheimer’s’s tragedy. Words are lost, sentences disintegrate, comprehension collapses. Your loved one, who used to speak, laugh, tell stories, gradually becomes mute, or worse, imprisoned in chaotic language that no longer conveys anything. This loss of language breaks communication, isolates, frustrates, and cruelly symbolizes the gradual erasure of the person.
But communication is not limited to words. With an understanding of language disorders, adapting your way of speaking, and using non-verbal language, it is possible to maintain a connection, continue to understand each other, and preserve a valuable human connection despite the loss of words.
This guide explains how language deteriorates in Alzheimer’s’s and provides you with concrete strategies to continue communicating effectively with your loved one.
—
Table of Contents
1. Understanding Language Disorders
2. Progression of Disorders by Stages
3. Strategies to Facilitate Communication
5. Managing Frustrations and Misunderstandings
6. Maintaining Connection Despite Word Loss
—
Understanding Language Disorders {#comprendre}
What is Aphasia?
Definition: Language disorder (expression and/or comprehension) due to brain damage.
In Alzheimer’s’s: Progressive aphasia (unlike stroke = sudden).
Affected Brain Areas:
- Broca’s area (language production)
- Wernicke’s area (comprehension)
- Connections between areas
- “I want the… the thing… you know…” (looking for “phone”)
- Replaces with vague words: “The thing”, “the thingamajig”
- Circumlocutions: “The thing for writing” (pen)
- Says “fork” for “knife”
- Says “dog” for “cat”
- Says “tomato” for “roof”
- Complex instructions: Incomprehensible
- Long sentences: Loses track
- Abstract words: No longer grasps meaning
- Words out of order: “Eat me want”
- Loss of grammar: No more conjugation, agreements
- You: “Do you want to eat?”
- She: “Do you want to eat?”
- Rare words, proper nouns
- Circumlocutions (“the thing for…”)
- Discomfort, awareness of the issue
- Common words too
- Paraphasias (word errors)
- Short, poorly constructed sentences
- Long/complex sentences : No
- Simple instructions : Sometimes OK
- Isolated words (no sentences)
- Unintelligible jargon
- Systematic echolalia
- Even simple instructions : Not understood
- Voice tone, emotions : Maybe captured
- Give start of word : “Are you looking for… TV…?”
- Offer choice : “Do you want the phone or the remote?”
- Not : “Go to the room, take your jacket, and come back.”
- But : “Go to the room.” [Attend qu’elle y aille] “Take your jacket.” [Attend] “Come back.”
- You : “Do you want to eat?” → She : “Do you want to eat?”
- You rephrase : “We are going to eat now.”
- Walking hand in hand
- Looking at photos (silence OK, presence matters)
- Doing crafts side by side
- Listening together
- Singing (even if she no longer sings, you sing)
- Gently dancing
- Looking at albums
- Talking to her (she listens, even if she doesn’t respond)
- Emotional memory activated
- Hand in hand
- Silence OK (nature, air, shared movement)
- Combing, massaging, applying hand cream
- Kind touch = Communication
- Comedy films, simple jokes
- Laughing together (even if she doesn’t understand everything, shared emotion)
- Her brain captures (even if she doesn’t show it)
- Your voice = Reassuring presence
- Language stimulation exercises
- Compensation strategies (gestures, visual supports)
- Maintaining abilities longer
- Alzheimer’s’s training: Communication and language disorders
- SCARLETT: Language and vocabulary stimulation
- Free guide to support people with Alzheimer’s’s
Alzheimer’s’s progressively destroys these areas → Language disintegrates.
Types of Disorders
1. Word Finding Difficulties (Anomia)
Main Symptom: Cannot find the word she is looking for.
Examples:
Early Stage: Difficulty with rare words, proper nouns.
Advanced Stage: Difficulty with common words.
2. Paraphasias
Word Substitution (errors):
Semantic Paraphasia: Word close in meaning:
Phonemic Paraphasia: Word close in sound:
Neologisms: Invented words (do not exist).
3. Comprehension Disorders
Cannot understand what is being said:
Advanced Stage: Even simple words become vague.
4. Syntax Disorders
Poorly Constructed Sentences:
5. Echolalia
Repeats what is said (like an echo).
Example:
Advanced Stage: Automatic repetition, without understanding.
6. Perseveration
Repeats the same word/phrase in a loop.
Example: Says “yes yes yes” 20 times, or repeats the same question 10 times.
7. Loss of Language (Mutism)
Very Advanced Stage: No longer speaks at all (or incomprehensible sounds).
Verbal communication impossible.
This is NOT intentional
Your loved one is not doing it on purpose to say the wrong words, to repeat, to not understand.
Damaged Brain: Language out of control.
Principle: Patience, adaptation, no blame.
—
Progression of Disorders by Stages {#evolution}
Mild Stage
Occasional Word Finding Difficulties:
Comprehension: Generally preserved (simple instructions OK).
Possible conversations : With adjustments.
Moderate stage
Lack of frequent word :
Reduced comprehension :
Repetitions (echolalia, perseveration) appear.
Difficult conversations : Need significant adaptation.
Advanced stage
Very poor language :
Almost no comprehension :
Progressive mutism : Towards the end, no longer speaks.
Verbal communication impossible → Non-verbal communication crucial.
—
Strategies to facilitate communication {#strategies}
General principles
1. Simplify language
Short sentences : 5-7 words max.
Simple words : Concrete (not abstract).
One idea at a time.
2. Speak slowly
Slow pace : Allows time to process information.
Pauses between sentences.
3. Calm, gentle tone
Do not shout (increases confusion, anxiety).
Reassuring voice.
4. Look into the eyes
Eye contact : Captures attention.
Face to face (do not speak from afar).
5. Repeat if necessary
If does not understand : Repeat (same words, or rephrase simpler).
Patience : No visible annoyance.
Strategies according to type of disorder
For lack of word :
If searching for a word :
Give time : Patience (10-20 sec), may find it.
Help discreetly :
Do not finish sentences systematically (frustrating for her).
Accept circumlocutions : Understand intention (do not constantly correct).
For paraphasias :
If says wrong word :
Understand intention (context).
Example : Says “dog” while pointing to cat → Understands she is talking about the cat.
Gently correct (if necessary) : “Ah, the cat, yes.”
Do not insist if persists in error (no debate).
For comprehension disorders :
Simple instructions :
One instruction at a time :
Concrete words : “Put on your shoes” (OK). “Get ready” (too vague).
Gestures accompany : Show shoes while saying “put on your shoes”.
Check understanding : Observe if executes (if not, rephrase).
For echolalia :
If repeats like an echo :
Rephrase as affirmation :
Ask closed questions (yes/no) rather than open ones.
For perseveration :
If repeats in a loop :
Respond calmly the first time, then gently ignore (no annoyance).
Redirect attention : Change subject, activity.
Visual tools
Show objects :
Accompany words with object : “Do you want to drink?” (show glass).
Photos, pictograms : Visual supports (if words alone insufficient).
Gestures : Mime action (“eat” : gesture of bringing hand to mouth).
Writing : Write word in large (if still reads).
Avoid
Open questions : “What do you want to do?” (too complex).
Long/complex sentences.
Speak fast, loud.
Interrupt when she speaks (even if slow, incoherent).
Constantly correct (humiliating).
Talk about her in her presence (as if absent).
—
Non-verbal communication {#non-verbal}
Why crucial
Verbal language fades → Non-verbal communication becomes essential.
Advanced stage : Only means of communication.
Types of non-verbal communication
1. Gaze
Eye contact : Connection (I am here, I see you).
Looking into eyes : Transmits attention, love.
2. Touch
Hand on hand : Comfort.
Caressing hair, cheek : Tenderness.
Gentle massage : Soothing.
Holding hand : Reassuring physical bond.
Attention : If hyper-sensitive/refusal of contact, respect.
3. Facial expressions
Smile : Positive emotion conveyed (even if she no longer smiles, feels kindness).
Serene face : Reassures.
Avoid : Frowning, tension (perceived as a threat).
4. Tone of voice
Even if words are not understood, tone of voice captured :
Soft, warm tone : Calms.
Annoyed, cold tone : Causes anxiety.
Singing : Melody can soothe (even without words).
5. Body language
Physical proximity : Close to her (not distant).
Open posture : Facing her, relaxed.
Slow gestures : Not abrupt (frightening).
6. Music
Listening to music together : Emotional communication (not words, but emotional sharing).
Favorite songs : Preserved musical memory (can hum, even if no longer speaks).
7. Shared activities
Doing together (without words) :
Presence = Communication.
Communication through emotional validation
If expressing emotion (even confusedly) :
Validate : “I see that you are sad/angry/happy.”
Do not deny : “No, you are not right to be sad” (invalidates).
Accompany emotion : Be there, reassure.
—
Managing frustrations and misunderstandings {#gerer-frustrations}
Frustration of your loved one
Can no longer find words → Anger, tears, agitation.
Can no longer understand → Anxiety, panic.
Strategies :
Stay calm : Your calm soothes.
Reassure : “It’s okay, I’m here, we will understand each other.”
Do not insist : If too frustrated, change the subject, come back later.
Value attempts : “You are trying, that’s good.”
Distraction : Redirect attention to a calming activity.
Frustration of the caregiver
Exhausting repetitions, mutual misunderstanding → You are at your wit’s end.
Strategies :
Take a break : If too frustrated, step out for 5 minutes, breathe.
Accept limits : Perfect communication is impossible (accept it).
Look for moments of connection : Even without words (looks, smiles, touch).
Support : Support groups, psychologist (share frustrations).
When verbal communication fails
Switch to non-verbal : Gesture, touch, presence.
Accept silence : Being together without talking = OK (presence is enough).
Let go : Not understanding everything, not saying everything = Normal (illness).
—
Maintaining the bond despite the loss of words {#maintenir-lien}
Communication is not just words
Bond = Presence, attention, love (not just words).
Even mutism : Connection possible (looks, touch, emotions).
Activities maintaining the bond
Music :
Photos :
Walks :
Body care :
Laughter :
Talking even if she no longer responds
Keep talking (even in advanced stages) :
Telling your day, reading a story, singing :
Do not expect responses : Monologue OK (she hears you).
Accept a new form of communication
Before : Rich conversations, deep exchanges.
Now : Simplified communication, silences, non-verbal.
Different, but not absence of bond.
Mourning the old communication, but celebrating the new (precious too).
—
Role of the speech therapist
When to consult
Light/moderate stage : Speech therapist can help.
Advanced stage : Less effective (but helpful advice is useful).
What the speech therapist provides
Assessment : Precise language disorders.
Rehabilitation :
Helpful advice : Adapted communication techniques.
Swallowing prevention : Monitoring (if orofacial aphasia).
—
Language stimulation with SCARLETT
SCARLETT Program offers games stimulating language :
Vocabulary games : Naming images, categorizing.
Verbal memory games : Repeating words, phrases.
Auditory stimulation : Listening, understanding.
15 min/day : Maintaining language skills (mild/moderate stage).
Supplement : Speech therapy, daily communication.
—
Testimonials
Claire, caregiver for her mother
“Mom can no longer find her words. At first, I would finish her sentences (impatience). The speech therapist told me: ‘Let her search, help discreetly.’ Now, I wait, I suggest the beginning of a word. She sometimes finds it. And even if not, we understand each other (gestures, context). Less frustration (for her, for me).”
Marc, son of his father
“Dad is at an advanced stage, hardly speaks anymore. But we listen to music together every evening. I sing, he hums (sometimes). No words, but connection. Music = Our language now. Precious.”
Sophie, caregiver for her husband
“I talk to my husband even if he no longer responds. I tell him about my day, read the newspaper, sing. The doctor told me: ‘Keep going, he hears, it matters.’ Sometimes, he squeezes my hand. That’s his response. Different communication, but real.”
—
Conclusion: Beyond Words
Words may fade, but the bond can remain. Communication is not just language, it’s presence, gaze, touch, shared emotion. Even when words get lost in the fog of Alzheimer’s’s, your voice, your hands, your love continue to speak. And your loved one, even silent, hears, feels, still exists through your connection.
Keys to communicate despite language disorders:
1. ✅ Simplify (short sentences, simple words, slowly)
2. ✅ Adapt (according to type of disorder, stage of illness)
3. ✅ Visual tools (showing, miming, gestures)
4. ✅ Non-verbal communication (touch, gaze, presence)
5. ✅ Infinite patience (don’t rush, don’t constantly correct)
6. ✅ Value attempts (encouragement)
7. ✅ Maintain the bond (shared activities, music, presence)
You are not alone. Our Alzheimer’s’s training details adapted communication. SCARLETT stimulates language (mild/moderate stage). Free guide : All daily strategies.
—
DYNSEO resources to maintain communication:
—
Words fade, but you remain. And it is you, your presence, your patience, your love that speaks now. Every simple word you utter, every hand held, every song hummed: all of this says “I am here, you are not alone, I love you.” And that message, beyond words, transcends all aphasias in the world. Keep speaking. With words or without. Your voice remains the beacon in the storm.