Communicating with someone who has dementia can be a challenge, especially for family members who aren’t adjusting well to the changes they’re seeing in the person they love. With patience and understanding, it’s possible to have meaningful conversations that help dementia patients feel heard and valued. The key is to learn how to talk to dementia patients in a healthy way and Alzheimer’s care providers can help families master these skills.
Talk to the Person, Not about Them
No one likes to feel as if the people around them are talking around or about them instead of to them. Even for seniors with advanced dementia, they understand when someone is talking around them. Talking to them helps them to maintain their dignity and their self-worth. Call them by name, make eye contact, and talk to them in a normal way. This helps them to feel respected and valued.
Give Them Time in the Conversation
Dementia creates some changes in brain function. What that means is that it can take people with dementia longer to process information and to respond properly. When talking with someone who has dementia, it goes better when they are able to finish their thoughts. Practicing patience while talking to seniors with dementia helps them feel less anxious during conversations. Too many interruptions or rushing them might make seniors stop communicating, and that would be terrible for everyone involved.
Reduce Distractions
Alzheimer’s care providers can help families reduce distractions overall for seniors with dementia. Distractions make it tough for dementia patients to concentrate and focus on the conversation. Minimizing background noises and choosing calming background sounds makes it so much easier for seniors to communicate, even with dementia. Families may need to experiment a little, too. Some people with dementia don’t like any noise at all, while others enjoy music and other light background noises.
Avoid Criticizing or Arguing
Criticism or starting an argument with someone who has dementia tends to just frustrate everyone involved. It’s much better to focus on being as supportive and understanding as possible. That means not correcting seniors when they say something that isn’t true. This can sometimes be hard for family caregivers to adjust to, but it’s important to pick battles wisely. Home care providers can help remind family members when it’s best to just let go.
Use Gestures and Written Communication, Too
Because dementia affects how the brain works, some dementia patients find that they have more trouble with spoken language, while others have more trouble with written language. Trying a variety of communication styles, including nonverbal cues and gestures, helps everyone involved to communicate as fully as possible. Keeping instructions clear and simple makes it easier for seniors to follow what is happening.
Dementia complicates life for aging adults, but that doesn’t have to mean that the people who love them avoid talking to them. Alzheimer’s care providers work closely with seniors and family caregivers to learn new ways to stay connected with each other, even as big changes keep coming.
The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable Alzheimer’s care in Gainesville, GA, and the surrounding areas. Call (770) 965-4004 for more information.
We provide elder care in Braselton, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Oakwood, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Barrow County, Forsyth County, Gwinnett County, Hall County, Jackson County, North Fulton County.
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
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