In the final stages of dementia, individuals may lose the ability to use verbal language. All staff in general practice are in a key position to engage with individuals using non-verbal communication methods. Adaptive interaction is one such method, which is simple to initiate, and in doing so offers a lifeline to help prevent social isolation.This article explains how staff in general practice can use a method called adaptive interaction to help communicate with people living with dementia.

Linda Currie - Lecturer (adult nursing), University of York, York