Is the person just lying there, staring at nothing? Human touch is a necessity of life. Brush back a stray hair, hold his or her hand, rub lotion on dry limbs, read to the person out of a cherished book, or a religious book from his or her past. You can speak, like speaking a monologue, about fond memories that you and this person share.

The sense of hearing is thought to be the last thing to go. As my sister and I sat with our dying mother, we talked about our mother's deceased sisters. We even looked through a photo album, exclaiming about different photos and memories they brought back. It seemed that Mom understood, even as she lay unconscious.

The thing about communication is that more than words are involved. Think hard about what would please this person. Keep beloved objects near by. Then use your memories about what they loved best to guide you. You can communicate, even if they - or even you - don't utter a word.

To learn more about Carol, please go to http://www.mindingourelders.com/ or http://www.mindingoureldersblogs.com/.