As indicated by Dr Sinclair in the above video, the concept of personhood is foundational to contemporary dementia care (Kitwood, 1997).

This perspective is also imbedded within the Person-centred care framework, which prioritises dignity, respect, and individuality (Brooker, 2007). Communication, within this model, is not simply a functional exchange of information but a means of affirming identity (Kitwood, 1997). Negative language therefore represents a deviation from person-centred principles, as it positions the individual as a task or problem rather than a person with a lived history and experience (Kitwood, 1997)

What is the psychology?.

From a neuropsychological school of thought, while explicit memory declines, emotional processing linked to the limbic system function often persists (Sabat, 2001). Explaining why individuals with dementia may not recall specific interactions but retain its emotional impact. Also, language that convey frustration, impatience, or criticism can have enduring effects on mood and behaviour. of the person affected.

Negative language thus has a cumulative psychological impact that extends beyond individual interactions. Being repeatedly told “you’re confused” or “you’ve already asked that” may appear trivial from a clinical perspective, but for the individual, such statements can reinforce feelings of inadequacy and loss. Such erosion of identity is particularly significant given that many individuals with dementia retain awareness especially in early to moderate stages of such cognitive decline. Negative language can intensify this awareness, leading to shame, anxiety, and withdrawal. Edvardsson et al. (2008) highlight that environments lacking person-centred communication are associated with lower levels of wellbeing and increased emotional distress.

This can be understood through the experience of being “spoken over or down to” or corrected in front of others. A person who once managed a household, career, and relationships may begin to feel reduced to their deficits. This loss for a person living with dementia, is not only cognitive but can be viewed as a threat to their very existence. A gradual reduction of personhood in part, by how others speak to and about them.