Communicating with Alzheimer's Patients: A Guide for Caregivers

When a person has Alzheimer's disease, he may act in unpredictable ways. Many people with Alzheimer's misunderstand what they see or hear, become anxious or aggressive. Frustration and tension may increase as the Alzheimer's patient loses his train of thought, or has problems in finding words to describe objects. Certain methods can help in talking to someone with Alzheimer's.

Instructions

• 1

  Identify yourself, call the person by name, and always approach from the front.

• 2

  Be gentle and relaxed, both in attitude and tone of voice.

• 3

  Keep eye contact to show that you are listening.

• 4

  Ask one question at a time and give the person plenty of time to answer. Use short and simple words that are familiar to the person.

• 5

  Explain tasks one step at a time, breaking them down into easily understandable segments.

• 6

  Exercise patience and understanding when you talk to someone with Alzheimer's. The person with Alzheimer's doesn't want to be this way.

• 7

  Go with the flow. If the person with Alzheimer's says something that isn't true, and the information doesn't harm anyone, just let it pass. Contradicting the person about every detail serves no purpose except to upset both of you.