How to Communicate With a Loved One Who Has Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease brings many challenges with it, communication being one of them. Difficulty remembering makes conversations hard to follow at times. There are many ways that Alzheimer’s disease presents challenges, including:

• Loss of the correct word or train of thought during a conversation
• Word meanings
• Decreased attention span during longer conversations
• Steps and processes for everyday activities, like cooking, dressing, and even operating the television
• Inability to block out background noises
• Increased frustration with miscommunications
• Sensitivities to touch, tone and volume
• Confusion with language

How Can Communication Be Easier?

Empathy. The sources of your frustrations lie in a disease that is still very much a mystery. However, if you can practice patience and empathy, even these challenging days can bring loving and memorable moments. When you are communicating, work to practice some things that are known to make a difference:

• Look your loved one in the eyes
• Call them by name
• Practice intentionally having a calm, soothing tone, appropriate volume, and body language that shows you care
• Give your loved one the space to express him or herself and engage in a two-way conversation
• Remember that sometimes being present to hold a hand or gently touch an arm is all that is needed to communicate
• Have quiet ways to pass the time, like sharing a coloring page or looking at pictures, that don’t require talking.

Remember the importance of your non-verbal communication:

• Display a warm and loving expression
• Hold hands
• Just listen- even when it is difficult to understand
• Be patient with any angry outbursts- this is not personal
• Allow space for your loved one to be involved in some decision-making

Effective communication strategies include:

• Simple, concise instructions
• Repeat, but increase your wait time before repeating
• Offer dignity, remember the person is still there and he or she is not a baby or child. Speak in your normal tone.

Remember to redirect the tempting negative responses with positive ones. Instead of pointing out mistakes or limitations, offer encouragement, like, “Let’s try this,” or, “I have an idea.” You can also simply say, “Thank you.” Additionally, you can modify and simplify the conversation a bit by saying things like:

• “Are you happy?”
• “Would you like a sandwich or soup?”
• Change the way you say things to limit the choices or options.

If you feel yourself becoming frustrated, take a break. Your relationship is most important.

Communicating Through Each Stage

During early stages of Alzheimer’s, your loved one may continue with meaningful conversations and socialize well. He or she may repeat stories and become easily overwhelmed. The middle phase of Alzheimer’s disease is typically the longest. With this stage comes an increased difficulty with communication and more assistance for personal care. In the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, you are likely to rely on non-verbal communication and around the clock care. Brightstar Care is here to support you and your loved ones. Contact or call 281-367-7827 to learn more about our services.