How to Communicate With a Person With Alzheimers

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It's difficult to know how to best interact and communicate with individuals who have Alzheimer's Disease The following article describes tips to more effectively communicate with indivdiuals who suffer from this devastating disease.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Patience and understanding are necessary tools.

How To Communicate with Persons with Alzheimer's Disease.

Step1

Approach the person from the front or within his or her line of vision, no surprise appearances. Speak in a normal tone of voice and greet the person as you would anyone else. Face the person as you talk to him. Minimize hand movements that approach the other person.

Step2

Avoid a setting with a lot of sensory stimulation, like a big room where many people may be sitting or talking, a high traffic area or a very noisy place. Maintain eye contact and a smile. A frown will convey negative feelings to a person. Be respectful of the person's personal space and observant of his or her reaction as you move closer. Maintain a distance of one to one and a half feet initially.

Step3

Walk with them if the person is a pacer, in step with him or her as you talk. Use distraction if a situation looks like it may get out of hand. For example: if a person looks as if they are about to hit someone or if he or she is trying to leave the facility. Use a low-pitched, slow speaking voice which older adults hear best.

Step4

Repeat key words if the person does not understand the first time around. Nod and smile only if what the person said is understood. Ask only one question at a time. More than one question will increase confusion.

Tips & Warnings

Life with a person suffering with Alzheimer's Disease can be quite challenging and frustrating. However, use of the above suggestions can greatly decrease unnecessary frustrations and provide smoother and more pleasant interactions.