Tips for Interacting with Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease

Trying to communicate with a senior with Alzheimer’s disease can be frustrating for both you and them. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, people have trouble finding the right words to express themselves and may say things that seem to make no sense. They oftentimes have trouble understanding what you are saying to them as well.  Sometimes they will repeat the same thing over again or ask repetitive questions. Understanding how to more effectively interact with those with Alzheimer’s can make time spent together more enjoyable for both of you.

Be patient. It can take time for your loved one to come up with what they want to say and find the right words. They may lose their train of thought and need some prompting or direction. If you do not understand what they are trying to communicate, ask a follow up question for more information. Or ask if they can point to what they want. Sometimes even if they do use an incorrect word you can still figure out what they mean based on other clues.

Speak clearly and repeat yourself. Make sure that you are speaking in a clear voice at a reasonable level. You may need to speak a little more slowly to give them time to process what you are saying. If you need to repeat yourself, state what you said in the same way to avoid confusion. They may not have caught it all the first time.

Avoid arguing. Understand that with the Alzheimer’s disease, your senior’s ability to reason can decrease. They may say things that you disagree with but try to avoid correcting them. Simply move on to another topic. Arguing can make them more agitated and does nothing to improve the situation.

Minimize distractions. It can be easy for your loved one to get distracted by noises, movement, and other activities. Try to go somewhere quiet to talk so that they are better able to focus. This can also help them to keep their train of thought. However, you can use items as cues or reminders to trigger memories, support conversation, and promote understanding.

Stay positive. As their memory begins to fade, it can change their behavior. They are not intentionally being argumentative or disrespectful if they forget something. Focus on the positives and enjoy the time you are spending together. Share happy stories about things that are happening.

Be patient and supportive as your loved one speaks to show you care and are paying attention. Encourage them to continue trying to explain themselves as you listen quietly. Just because communication may be more difficult does not mean that the emotion and feeling are not there.  If your elderly parent is becoming more confused, they may benefit from dementia care through an in-home caregiver. The caregiver will be trained in how to work with individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s and support their needs and quality of life. Always Best Care offers high quality dementia care to seniors in the Cedar Valley. To schedule a consultation and find out more about how we can help, call (877) 292-2126 or visit us online.

Recognizing the Difference Between Normal Forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s Disease

As you age, it is not uncommon to have periodic memory lapses. Perhaps you missed a lunch date or forgot where you put your keys. But when your friend calls wondering why you weren’t there, you suddenly remember your plans. And after looking around the house for a few minutes, you find that your keys are on the kitchen table instead of on the hook by the door. These are typically not things to get too concerned about. When you have a lot on your mind or are trying to juggle multiple tasks at once, this can lead to occasional forgetfulness.

Other situations can be a cause for concern, however, and may indicate the onset of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other issues. Recognizing the difference between normal forgetfulness and something more serious can help you to be more proactive about your health and that of your loved ones.

Difficulty Recalling Information

Everyone forgets someone’s name from time to time or has trouble recalling specific details. With normal aging, you remember this information after a short time or when something triggers your memory. The next time you go to retrieve this information, it is easier to remember. With dementia or Alzheimer’s, this information still may not come to you even after some time has passed. Or even after seeing a reminder, you still forget. Asking the same questions repeatedly and not being able to recall the answer can be a sign of more than just normal forgetfulness.

Uncharacteristic Behavior

It’s normal to have an off day now and then and be irritated at your forgetfulness. There could be many reasons behind it. But this is just a small incident and otherwise you feel like yourself and carry on as usual. For those with Alzheimer’s they may exhibit unusual behavior that is not consistent with their regular personality. They may act out, become defensive, or have difficulty making rational decisions. If you notice that a loved one’s behavior and personality has changed, it may be beneficial to consult your doctor.

Confusion about Time or Place

You may lose track of time or momentarily forget where you were headed or what you wanted to pick up at the store, but you quickly readjust. People with Alzheimer’s may get lost or disoriented in familiar places or lose sense of the time, day of the week, or even year. It is often easier to remember things that happened further in the past then more recently.

Occasional forgetfulness can be annoying but does not interfere with your ability to carry out daily tasks and follow directions. With dementia, the person may begin to let personal hygiene slip, place things in odd locations, substitute common words with something that makes little sense, and act more unpredictably. If you are concerned about your forgetfulness or that of a loved one, or notice any of the above symptoms, talk to your doctor. They can assess whether there is reason for concern or these actions are just a normal part of aging.