My care giver says hello and how are you when she comes in and good bye when she leaves. She is attentive when my wife gets out of her chair and walks around the apartment, like she doesn't want her to get into mischief. The caregiver made an effort to help with a shower today.
This is good, but shouldn't there be some attempt at a conversation? We know what a conversation looks like, we just want a conversation. We have friends who come in and they talk to my wife. They don't expect to actually get many, if any coherent statements. They consider it a blessing when my wife has a lucid moment. That does not keep the ladies from talking. That seems like the only way to establish a bond of trust.
To watch your wife for wandering or falling?
To make sure your wife eats and drinks?
Make sure she gets regular shower?
Help with toileting?
Help with dressing?
Are you there the entire time the Caregiver is, or do you use the spare time to go get groceries, banking, etc.?
There are several professional Caregivers here who could give better answers.
I would also suggest having the caregiver play some of your wife's favorite music and sing along with her, as music is powerful with folks that have any of the dementias, and most even those that are non-verbal will sing every word to the songs, as music comes from a different part of the brain than what the dementia has damaged.