Elder Care in Cambridge MA
One of the first symptoms that you might notice in a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease is that he finds it more difficult to talk to people and sometimes to understand what they’re telling him. Learning how to communicate effectively with him can be a challenge at first.
Communication Changes for Your Loved One
Because Alzheimer’s disease affects your loved one’s brain it also affects how your loved one communicates with you and with others. Your loved one might have a difficult time finding the right words or he might lose his train of thought more easily. Your loved one might avoid talking simply because it’s difficult for him to do. How you talk with your loved one will likely change a good bit over the course of the disease.
Lead with Patience and Respect
The first thing to do for your loved one is to remain respectful of his dignity and maintain patience with him at all times. Allow him to have the time that he needs to come up with the right words or phrases in order to talk with you. If you’re impatient, that’s likely to make it more difficult for him to speak with you the way that he wants to.
Keep it Simple
Complicated sentences and long blocks of verbal instructions are more likely to confuse your loved one than they are to impart information to him. Especially if your loved one is in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, stick with shorter questions that require yes or no answers. You might also want to break information down into much smaller blocks.
Comfort Your Loved One
If your loved one is struggling to communicate, he might become flustered and agitated. It’s a good idea to gently show your loved one that you’re there for him and that you’re not rushing him to just spit out whatever he’s trying to say. The more that you can reassure him that he’s doing fine, the easier it will be for him to communicate effectively.
Use Visual Cues to Help
Gestures, picture cards, and other visual cues can make communicating a lot easier for your loved one. If he’s having a lot of trouble finding the right words, experiment to determine which tools work best for your loved one. Work with his elder care providers to find the right system for him.
As your loved one’s communication skills break down, it’s more important for you to stay calm and to offer him patience and love.
Source
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20047540
http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-communication-tips.asp
If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Cambridge, MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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