Talking Tips
When your loved one has Alzheimer's disease, you may not be able to communicate with him or her as you used to. Your loved one may have trouble speaking clearly and finding the right word. He or she may use the wrong word to describe something, repeat words and phrases, or use words that are vulgar.
In turn, when you try to talk with your loved one, he or she may have trouble understanding you. He or she may take directions and questions too literally or be suspicious of things that you say.
Here are some tips that can help:
To help your loved one reach you:
• Be reassuring when he or she becomes confused. Use gentle reminders and prompts to get him or her back on track. • Be patient. Give your loved one time to form thoughts and sentences. Help him or her find a word by guessing and then asking if you are on the right track. • Be creative. Make a book with pictures of people eating, drinking, bathing, or using the bathroom. Ask your loved one to point to what he or she needs.
To help you reach your loved one:
• Use more than words. Touch, point, use facial expressions, or act out what you mean. • Approach the person from the front, make eye contact, and be at a comfortable distance before you start to speak. • Begin a conversation by calling the person by his or her name and identifying yourself. • Be clear and direct. Avoid slang, idioms, and expressions such as "Hop into the car."
And try to stay positive…
• Use simple words and short sentences when you speak with your loved one, but avoid "talking down." • Use positive words: "This way," instead of "Not that way!" • If your loved one says something untrue out of confusion, don't accuse him or her of lying. For instance, if your husband wakes up one morning and says, "You're not my wife! Get out of my bed!"—don't try to argue or reason with him. Use distraction to change the topic instead: "What a beautiful day! Would you like some breakfast?" • Give single-step directions. Avoid stringing together different ideas such as: "As soon as you are finished with breakfast, get dressed so that you can take out the trash, and when you are all through, meet me in the garage, because we need to leave here by 10:00!" • Instead, give one direction at a time. Try saying: "Please finish eating breakfast. Then get dressed." Wait until your loved one has completed one task before you give the next direction.
Above all, maintain your loved one's dignity. Never talk about your loved one as if he or she is not there!
Next: Wandering
