| Summary • Communicating with aging loved ones who have Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging, especially because the condition affects their memory. • Aging adults with Alzheimer’s may find it difficult to understand what you’re saying, or they might not be able to find the right words to convey what they’re thinking. This can be frustrating for both of you. • Paying attention to nonverbal communication, visual cues, and facial expressions can help you to better understand your aging loved ones. • It’s important to use simple language and an encouraging voice as you speak. Be sure to avoid criticizing their memory issues or speaking to them in a ‘baby voice’. |
Finding out your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can be an emotional experience. Knowing that their memory and physical abilities will eventually decline can be very upsetting. It can also be worrying to know that talking to them may become harder than before.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, this condition is not uncommon. Around seven million adults in the U.S. who are 65 or older are living with Alzheimer’s.
In a recent study on Alzheimer’s, most participants struggled to communicate effectively with their caregivers and family members.
As the disease progresses, communicating with your loved one may become increasingly difficult.
They might not be able to understand what you’re saying or formulate responses.
However, by using good listening skills, patience, and some practical tips, you can more easily communicate with someone who has Alzheimer’s.
In this article, we will discuss how to talk to someone with Alzheimer’s disease and which practices you should avoid when communicating with them.
How Does Alzheimer’s Disease Effect Communication?
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that affects a person’s thinking, behavior, and memory. It primarily impacts the brain cells, including those in the memory and communication centers of the brain.
As the disease progresses, it may become more difficult for an aging person to perform daily tasks.
In the early stages of this disease, memory loss is typically mild and may not impact communication much.
But late-stage Alzheimer’s can make it difficult for your loved one to communicate as their memory problems affect their ability to recall words, for example.
This could mean that your aging family member may struggle to find the right word to use or forget what they were speaking about halfway through a conversation.
An aging family member with Alzheimer’s may:
- Have difficulty understanding what you’re saying.
- Repeat stories several times.
- Feel overwhelmed by the amount of information they need to process to have a conversation.
- Have difficulty with short and long-term memory.
- Struggle to follow step-by-step instructions, even when it comes to familiar tasks — such as recipes they’ve made before.
Even if your aging loved one is still in the early stage of the disease, you may start to notice changes in how they communicate.
How Can Communication Enhance the Well-Being of Loved Ones with Alzheimer’s?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), loneliness and isolation in aging adults can lead to serious health problems and an increased risk of dementia.
So, by simply doing your best to communicate with your older loved one, you’re helping them live a potentially healthier life.
Although it may be challenging, positively communicating with someone who has Alzheimer’s has several other benefits, including helping them maintain:
- Their self-esteem and dignity
- A sense of self
- Their quality of life
- Companionship and the important relationships in their lives
How to Improve Communication with an Aging Loved One Who Has Alzheimer’s
You may have to adjust how you would typically communicate to accommodate the change in your aging loved one’s memory.
Here are some tips to encourage positive communication with someone living with Alzheimer’s:
- Speak slowly and clearly so that it’s easier for them to understand and process your words.
- Give your loved one plenty of time to respond, and try not to interrupt them while they are gathering their thoughts.
- Keep the language that you use as simple as possible while still conveying your message, and stick to short sentences if you can.
- Listen actively, which includes paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal communication—more on this shortly.
- Use visual cues to encourage a better understanding of what you’re saying. For example, walking an aging adult to the kitchen while you ask them if they are hungry.
- Use an encouraging voice, as this can help ease older adults’ frustration if they struggle to communicate because of Alzheimer’s.
- Consider writing notes to your loved one when spoken words are confusing them.
- If you find yourself becoming frustrated with the person — which is a perfectly normal human response — take a break and try again in a bit.
Pay Attention to Nonverbal Communication and Body Language
Body language speaks volumes, especially when words fail. It’s a good idea to be aware of this when communicating with someone with Alzheimer’s.
First, try focusing on keeping your body language as relaxed as possible.
It’s also a good idea to pay attention to the body language of the person you are attempting to communicate with, as they may be saying things with their actions that they can’t put into words.
Nonverbal communication, like facial expressions and gestures, can communicate emotions, and physical movements may indicate what someone needs — for example, if they are tapping their stomach, they may be hungry.
Holding the person’s hand while you speak to them is nonverbal communication that can help reassure them and make them feel closer to you.
If an adult with Alzheimer’s is sitting down, be sure to also sit down while you talk to them. Lowering yourself to their level can help them feel less intimidated.
The Importance of Making Eye Contact
Maintaining eye contact with someone who has Alzheimer’s while they speak is important as it’s a nonverbal way of improving communication.
Eye contact shows them that you care and that you are listening to them. It may also help them concentrate on what you are saying when you speak.
You would typically make eye contact with anyone else you talk to, so it’s important you do the same with a person who has Alzheimer’s so they feel comfortable and heard.
What to Avoid When Talking to Someone with Alzheimer’s
Now that you know how to make communication with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s easier, let’s look at some things to avoid.
Refrain from the following when communicating:
- Criticizing the aging person: Although you may be frustrated by their inability to communicate or recall things, criticizing them won’t help as they’re possibly already feeling uncomfortable or bad about themselves.
- Asking too many open-ended questions: Questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no may be more effective, especially as the disease progresses.
- Excessive stimulation: Having a TV or radio in the background may distract the aging person you are attempting to communicate with. They may also become overwhelmed or frustrated by the additional noise.
- Raising your voice: This can be quickly interpreted as disrespect or frustration, making the aging adult feel uncomfortable.
- Using baby talk: Just because the aging person doesn’t necessarily understand everything you are trying to say, doesn’t mean you should speak to them like you would a child.
- Using long, complicated sentences: Simple sentences are typically easier for Alzheimer’s patients to understand and process.
- Asking for specific details: Questions about someone’s age or job title may be ineffective as this is something they may not be able to remember, which might frustrate them.
- Confronting them about their memory issues: Highlighting this issue could cause the aging adult to shut down and not talk to you at all.
- Rushing them: Pushing your aging family member to make their point while they’re talking may frustrate them. Give the person time to process your question or statement and formulate an answer.
Communicating with Aging Loved Ones in Their Time of Need
At LogicMark, we understand that it can be difficult and frustrating to communicate with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s.
But know that it’s okay not to know what to say or where to start a conversation. Your presence in their lives and your relationship with them is what’s most important.
Knowing that an aging loved one with Alzheimer’s can get help in emergency situations can go a long way to giving you peace of mind, especially if they struggle to communicate.
With a medical alert device, your loved ones can reach you or 911 operators at the touch of a button.
Visit our website to learn more about our range of medical alert devices and how they can help your aging loved one when they need it most.
