Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia’s can gradually diminish a person’s ability to communicate.
Not only do people with dementia have more difficulty expressing thoughts and emotions, they also have more trouble understanding others. The ability to exchange our ideas, wishes and feelings is a basic need.
The Alzheimer’s Association recommends ways to communicate with the person with dementia so you might understand each other better.
- You may recognize differences in the person with dementia such as:
- Difficulty finding the right words
- Using familiar words repeatedly
- Inventing new words to describe familiar things
- Easily losing train of thought
- Difficulty organizing words logically
- Reverting to speaking in a native language
- Using curse words
- Speaking less often
- More often relying on gestures instead of speaking
A number of physical conditions and medications can also affect a person’s ability to communicate.
Communicating with a person with dementia requires patience and understanding. Above all, you must be a good listener. To help your loved ones communicate, here are several tips:
- Be patient and supportive. Let the person know you’re listening and trying to understand what in being said.
- Offer comfort and reassurance. If he or she in having trouble communication, let the person know that it’s OK. Encourage the person to continue to explain his or her thoughts.
- Show your interest. Keep good eye contact. Show the person that you care about what in being said.
- Avoid arguing. If the person says something you don’t agree with, let it be. Arguing usually only makes things worse.
- Giving the person time. Let the person think about and describe whatever he or she wants to. Be careful not to interrupt.
- Avoid criticizing or correcting. Don’t tell the person what he or she is saying is incorrect. Instead, listen and try to find the meaning n what is being said. Repeat what was said, if it helps to clarify the thought.
- Offer a guess. If the person uses the wrong word or cannot find a word, try guessing the right one. If you understand what the person means, you may not need to give the correct word. Be careful not to cause unnecessary frustration.
As dementia progresses, communication can become more and more challenging. Sensitive ongoing communication is important, no matter how difficult it may become or how confused the person may appear. While the person may not always respond, he or she still requires and benefits continued communication.
To best communicate:
- Identify yourself. Approach the person from the front. Tell the person who you are (every time).
- Call the person by name. this is not only courteous, it helps orient the person and gets his or her attention.
- Use short, simple words and sentences. Don’t overwhelm the person with lengthy request or stories. Speak in a concise manner. Keep to the point. In some cases, slang words may be helpful.
- Talk slowly and clearly. Be aware of speed and clarity when speaking.
- Give one-step directions. Break down tasks and instruction into clear simple steps. Give one step at a time.
- Ask one questions at a time. Don’t overwhelm or confuse the person with too many questions at once.
- Patiently wait for a response. The person may need extra time to process your request. give the person the time and encouragement he or she needs to respond.
- Repeat information or questions. If the person doesn’t respond, wait a moment. Then ask again. Ask the question in the same way, using the same words as before.
Six out of 10 people with Alzheimer’s will wander. Since 1993, The Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return has helped reunite more than 13,000 people with their families and caregivers. MedicAlert ID jewelry which identify and provide vital medical information for emergency personnel anywhere in the world. They provide 24-hour assistance, no matter when or where the person is reported missing. For more information on MedicAlert
www.medicalert.org/safereturn.  For additional information on Alzheimer’s disease call” 1.800.272.3900 or visit www.alz.org
Memory Walk 2010
Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research – and it calls on people of all ages to take action in the fight. Year-round, our participants are leaders in the effort to defeat this devastating disease.
Where:
Orlando, FL
Lake Eola Park, Downtown
195 N. Rosalind Avenue
Length is Once Around Lake Eola
Check in at the Registration tent on Rosalind Avenue
When:
October 30, 2010
8am Registration, 9am Walk
Contact: Central and North FL Chapter at 407-951-7992 or [email protected]
When you register for the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®, you’re joining a nationwide community of thousands of people who are standing up and participating in the fight against this devastating disease.
Source for memory walk information: http://www.alz.org/memorywalk/overview.asp?memory=main_navi
For more information please email Tesha at [email protected]
