Tips for Successfully Communicating with an Alzheimer’s Patient

Dementia and Alzheimer's disease slowly diminishes a person's ability to communicate and they are often are found struggling with concepts and language. In situations like these, it becomes even more vital to learn the art of communicating with your elderly loved one effectively and lovingly. Patients with dementia require love hence; it requires a great amount of patience, and good listening skills to understand the person better.

With constant behavioral changes, it becomes vital to understand some tips that can help to have better communications. Some of these are:

• Alzheimer's or dementia patients require excessive care, and it becomes vital to deal them with compassion and patience for having a smooth communication. If you allow your loved one to take their time in answering or speaking or find them struggling with the language, and sentences; act calmly and observe their behavior. Listening patiently is the key!
• Not everything has to be spoken to understand well because about 93% communication is non-verbal. Smiling often can help to lighten your mood and at the same time reduce the stress that helps in bringing the patient and the caregiver closer.
• Dementia patients tend to live in their world, with time. Your friendship is important for your loved one in this difficult situation, hence adopting a calm attitude will work wonders for them. Avoid engaging in an argument, try asking open-ended questions to eliminate confusion.
• Maintain eye contact with the patient so that they remain focused upon what you're saying and try speaking slowly and clearly and avoid giving too many instructions at one time, as this may confuse them.

Always remember that communication doesn't stop if your loved one has been diagnosed with Dementia. Memory changes impact their communication abilities and your support and love are what can ease their life. If you too have an Alzheimer's patient and are facing difficulties to communicate with them effectively, then experts in senior care are surely there to rescue you. Always Best Care has expert caregivers for both in-home care and assisted living that work well to serve your needs. Contact Always Best Care for geriatric care in Contra Costa County at (925)210-0323.