Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease throws many challenges your way, but one of the most frustrating challenges is when communicating with your loved one becomes more difficult. How do you avoid saying something that might cause additional confusion, concern, pain or embarrassment? How can you get your loved one to understand you when he or she is having a particularly tough day?
When communication becomes difficult, it can seem easier to avoid it altogether. However, companionship is just as important – perhaps more so – for those struggling to understand the world around them. Rather than avoidance, sit beside the person, relax, and keep these five simple tips in mind:
- Accept errors. Confusion about names, dates, places, and memories is part of the Alzheimer’s and dementia terrain. Correcting the person can either cause embarrassment or added confusion.
- Avoid arguments. Changing the subject to a more pleasant topic when a disagreement begins to ensue is an effective way to diffuse a potential argument.
- Forego questioning. Asking a person with memory limitations questions about something that happened in the past, even if it’s as simple as, “What did you have for breakfast?” is an invitation for frustration.
- Allow misconceptions. Particularly when it comes to the death of a loved one, allowing the person to believe that the loved one is still alive is a kindness that protects him or her from the fresh, raw grief of once again facing that loss.
- Keep upbeat. Stick to topics that you know the person enjoys discussing, and steer clear of those that may upset him or her.
Want more Alzheimer’s communication tips? Check out our online resource!
Alzheimer’s disease presents many challenges for families, but communication and companionship remain vital for the senior’s health and quality of life. At Home Matters, we understand that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis instantly changes your loved one’s world as well as yours. That’s why we partner with AlzBetter® in order to help families provide better care. Contact us to learn more about our Alzheimer’s care program or to discover more tips on how to effectively communicate and interact with those with Alzheimer’s.
