COMMUNICATING WITH DEMENTIA PATIENTS

Tip: Statements that make life a little easier for those with Dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Decision making becomes more difficult as this diagnoses progress. Being in the industry I’ve learned to avoid stressing or frustrating my clients by providing statements rather than questions. Depending on the conversation, what they want or don’t want isn’t the issue but it is the decision making part that can be frustrating and overwhelming.

For example, stating that it is time for lunch instead of asking if they would like to have lunch can make both parties situation easier. Note that providing a dementia patient/client with a list of options can also be overwhelming for them.

Another example is “Let’s go play bingo!” instead of “Do you want to play bingo?” These simple statements will surely give you a response because you have just made the decision easier for them. Here’s a great tip directly from the Alzheimer’s Association Turn questions into answers.

Provide the solution rather than the question. For example, say “The bathroom is right here,” instead of asking, “Do you need to use the bathroom?”

If you’d like to learn more on how to communicate with those that have dementia or Alzheimer’s, check out the Alzheimer’s Association website: http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-communication-tips.asp#ixzz3e7Y5Rzld

Another “peace”of the puzzle.