Tips For Interacting With Someone Living With Alzheimer’s Disease

Interacting with a friend or loved one who is living with Alzheimer’s disease can be difficult. After all, it’s hard to know what to say if he or she is having a bad day, doesn’t remember things as easily as before or happens to be in an agitated mood. There are tips that can help make everyday interactions easier. Here are just a few:

·         Avoid distractions – If the loved one is still living at home, create a warm, comfortable place to interact where distractions are at a minimum. If they are living in an expert care facility, chances are this will be provided.

·         Keep the voice steady and calm – Avoid condescending and try to keep heightened emotions out of conversation. This can be hard for loved one of those living with Alzheimer’s, but maintaining a calm, soothing manner can help ensure memorable interactions.

·         Listen well – If the loved one feels like reminiscing, let them do so. Engage in active listening by nodding the head, maintaining eye contact and smiling. If something comes up that doesn’t seem clear, ask open-ended questions. Avoid correcting or criticizing though.

·         Use names – Always refer to people by their names and be sure to greet the loved one by their name, too. This helps avoid confusion from the onset of a conversation.

·         Don’t remind or correct – Loved ones with Alzheimer’s will forget things. They don’t mean to and trying to jog their memory often will not help. Avoid the confrontation and keep interactions on an even keel by just letting them go in the moment.

·         Remember good days and bad days are both likely – A loved one living with Alzheimer’s may have an incredible Monday with near perfect recall and a Tuesday where he or she doesn’t remember a face.

Interacting with a loved one who is living with Alzheimer’s disease won’t be the same as it was before. With patience and a few rules of the road, however, it’s very possible to enjoy each other’s company and make new memories you will cherish going forward.