Alzheimer’s Caregivers Talk the Talk: Top Tips for Communicating with a Loved One with Alzheimer’s

Connecting with others is one of the most basic human necessities: sharing the ups and downs of life, discovering commonalities, and growing closer to those we care about. In fact, it’s so crucial to our wellbeing that isolation from relationships can result in the same negative health effects as smoking, obesity and high blood pressure.

When a loved one’s ability to communicate is impacted because of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, how can that critical connection be maintained?

Valley of the Sun Homecare’s professional Alzheimer’s caregivers have some tips to help bridge the communication gap.

• Stay upbeat. Your attitude, whether positive or negative, will come through just as clearly, if not more so, than your words. Keep your body language, facial expression, and tone of voice relaxed, friendly, and positive.
• Minimize distractions. Give your loved one your full attention, and capture as much of hers as possible – quiet the atmosphere by turning off the TV or radio, silence your cell phone, and close the door.
• Speak clearly. In a calm voice, use short and simple sentences to engage your loved one. If she doesn’t seem to understand, try repeating or rephrasing after a few moments. Using proper names of friends, family, places, etc. rather than pronouns can also help avoid confusion.
• Be patient. Allow your loved one as much time as needed to respond to you, and realize that her answer may be communicated in ways other than verbally, such as through a smile, frown or hand gesture. Understanding the feelings underneath is what’s most important.
• Use humor. Laughing together is a wonderful way to connect, and those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia often retain the social skills associated with humor. Of course, be sure your humor is directed away from the person herself. Recalling funny stories from the past may be especially impactful.

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Taking steps to keep open lines of communication, even when it feels a bit uncomfortable, is crucial for both Alzheimer’s caregivers and those with the disease themselves. And engaging the services of a trained professional, such as those at Valley of the Sun Homecare of Arizona, can ease communication difficulties.

Our compassionate, patient Alzheimer’s caregivers are available to provide anything from occasional respite care to allow family members to take a much needed break, to full-time, around-the-clock care, based on each individual’s unique needs.

Valley of the Sun’s Arizona Alzheimer’s caregivers can help with hands-on personal care, light housework, transportation to doctors’ appointments, running errands, and engaging activities to help those with Alzheimer’s, and those who care for them, to live life to the fullest. Contact us to learn more at 480-264-5252.