We all probably know someone in our circle of friends and family who has dementia. And because of the disease’s progressive nature, we’ll probably all know people at different stages of the illness. And sadly, recent research suggests that it’s not going away. According to a recent study from the University of Auckland, the number of people living with dementia in New Zealand will double in the next 30 years.

If you know someone who has dementia, there are some things you can do to support them. As a person’s dementia progresses, difficulties with conversation and communication often develop, making it harder for the person to express themselves and harder to understand what is being said to them. This can cause frustration for both parties. Lee Andrews, Educator and Clinical Leader at Dementia Canterbury, says using clear, direct language that makes sense easily and removes any ambiguities is helpful.

says Lee. “Sometimes what we don’t do can be just as important as what we do do in maintaining positive communication.” For example, Lee suggests avoiding arguing with the person – even if you are certain that what they are saying is wrong from a factual point of view. “Arguing will likely only make the situation worse by increasing the agitation and frustration for both parties. Instead, try responding to the emotions behind what the person is saying.”