Witnessing the deterioration of a loved one who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease is indescribably painful. As the disease progresses, minor forgetfulness morphs into severe impairment that causes communication to eventually become an issue.
The Reality of Alzheimer’s
1 in 10 Americans have a family member with Alzheimer’s and 1 in 3 knows someone with the disorder. As people live longer, more and more Americans are suffering from memory disorders.
Knowing strategies on how to act and what to tell someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia will help families connect emotionally to their loved ones. As with any brain disorder, communication involves special approaches.
6 Ways To Make Seniors With Alzheimer’s Comfortable
1. Create a Safe Space
Create a comfortable atmosphere that doesn’t have many distractions, so your loved one can concentrate all their mental energy on the conversation.
2. Make Them Feel Heard
Nod your head and engage in dialog with your loved one. If you don’t understand anything, ask open-ended questions respectfully.
3. Have An Open Mind
Be compassionate and don’t try to correct one of your loved ones when they’re wrong. Allow yourself to go along with their illusions and errors to see where the talk can take you.
4. Speak Calmly With Them
Use a warm tone and calm voice. Don’t be condescending and use heightened emotions, clearly speak using a relaxed tone.
5. Keep It Personal
Avoid pronouns and refer to people by their names. Be sure to greet your loved one by their name.
6. Stay Focused
Hold eye contact around your loved one and smile. Maintaining an accommodating attitude can help your loved one feel at ease and relaxed body language will help your loved one realize that you are a familiar person, even if they don’t know or remember exactly who you are.
Communication is Important
Individuals with memory impairment have trouble expressing emotions and thoughts and difficulty understanding others. Even if you think that your loved one has become a different person and is no longer there it’s still them. You just have to figure out a different way to reach them and know what to say to an Alzheimer’s or dementia patient.
What to say:
Do
- Accept the blame when something’s wrong
- Agree with them or distract them to a different subject or activity
- Allow plenty of time for comprehension
- Avoid insistence
- Be cheerful, patient, and reassuring
- Go with the flow
- Have patience
Avoid
- Arguing
- Confronting
- Reasoning
- Remind them what they forget
- Taking it personally
It’s important to recognize what you are up against. Memory disorders continue to get worse with time, so your loved one will not improve and you have to accept that. You need to have patience and make the conversation as pleasant as possible.
Be Patient With Your Loved Ones
There is no treatment for Alzheimer’s at this time. Your loved one is going to have both bad and good days and you’re going to have to be patient. Take steps by learning how to act around someone with Alzheimer’s or how to support someone with Alzheimer’s.
The Victorian Assisted Living and Retirement Community
The Victorian is an assisted living and retirement community that makes living independently, while at the same time feeling safe and secure, a reality. We strive to provide the best quality of life for all residents including those suffering from loneliness and depression.
We offer a comprehensive activity program that includes both physical and social activities to encourage emotional well-being. Our staff is trained to assist those with depression. If you or a loved one are considering assisted living, contact The Victorian today to learn more about our services or tour our community.
