10 Tips for Effective Alzheimer’s Communication
We know communicating with a person with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can be tricky, particularly as the disease progresses.
In the earlier stages of the disease, a person with dementia might just struggle to find the right word or rely on body language like gestures to communicate. Later on, people with Alzheimer’s may be fully reliant on nonverbal communication like facial expressions and vocal sounds.
No matter what stage of the disease a person is in, family members should speak slowly, maintain eye contact, and give the person plenty of time to respond. They should talk about the person in a friendly tone of voice to lighten the mood.
Here’s some tips to help you communication with your loved one with memory loss:
- Agree with them instead of arguing
- Divert them instead of reasoning with them
- Distract them instead of shaming
- Reassure them, instead of lecturing
- Reminisce with them, instead of asking them to remember
- Repeat yourself rather than saying “I told you”
- Focus on what they can do, not what they can’t
- Ask, instead of demanding
- Encourage them rather than condescending
- Reinforce, don’t force.
Contact Us
By the time someone has reached the later stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, they may require around-the-clock care. If it’s time to speak to a memory care advisor, contact us today.
