Dementia Care: How to Communicate Effectively
According to the Alzheimer's Association, one in three senior Americans will contract Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. As the senior population increases, there is expected to be a 40 percent increase in the number of cases by 2025, and unless a cure is found the numbers will more than triple by 2050.
In short, many senior caregivers are going to need to talk with a loved one who is suffering from dementia. Below are some tips on communicating effectively when your loved one suffers from this disease:
The first step to communicating with a person who has dementia is to have a well-organized environment. The more things that are around to cause confusion the more difficult any sort of conversation may be. Large, bright signs can help keep things …show more content…
Communication involves so much more than mere words. Sit next to your loved one, hold their hand, give them a hug, look them in the eye. Your loved one may struggle with vocal communication skills and memory, but love and compassion are communicated effectively even into the late and final stages of dementia. Not only does nonverbal reinforcement send effective messages, but it is critical in building the esteem of one suffering from dementia. Often dementia patients do not feel safe, loved, or wanted. Their own minds are fighting against them and they feel lost. When those most important to them reinforce their love, it helps ground and center them, often providing strength and healing that cannot be found in any medication.
When dealing with short term memory loss, talk about things that are in their long-term memory. Frame the questions in such a way that short or concrete answers will suffice. In later stages of dementia, you may want to limit the questions to those with a yes or no response. The important thing is that you are spending time talking. By asking questions they can answer, it helps them avoid frustration and
According to the Alzheimer's Association, one in three senior Americans will contract Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. As the senior population increases, there is expected to be a 40 percent increase in the number of cases by 2025, and unless a cure is found the numbers will more than triple by 2050.
In short, many senior caregivers are going to need to talk with a loved one who is suffering from dementia. Below are some tips on communicating effectively when your loved one suffers from this disease:
The first step to communicating with a person who has dementia is to have a well-organized environment. The more things that are around to cause confusion the more difficult any sort of conversation may be. Large, bright signs can help keep things …show more content…
Communication involves so much more than mere words. Sit next to your loved one, hold their hand, give them a hug, look them in the eye. Your loved one may struggle with vocal communication skills and memory, but love and compassion are communicated effectively even into the late and final stages of dementia. Not only does nonverbal reinforcement send effective messages, but it is critical in building the esteem of one suffering from dementia. Often dementia patients do not feel safe, loved, or wanted. Their own minds are fighting against them and they feel lost. When those most important to them reinforce their love, it helps ground and center them, often providing strength and healing that cannot be found in any medication.
When dealing with short term memory loss, talk about things that are in their long-term memory. Frame the questions in such a way that short or concrete answers will suffice. In later stages of dementia, you may want to limit the questions to those with a yes or no response. The important thing is that you are spending time talking. By asking questions they can answer, it helps them avoid frustration and