Health Tip: Talking to a Person With Alzheimer's Disease
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, communicating becomes more of a challenge.
The U.S. National Institute on Aging offers these suggestions for talking to someone with Alzheimer's:
* Speak in a calm, soothing tone of voice.
* Use simple, short words and sentences -- but avoid baby talk, or speaking like you would to a child.
* Avoid talking about the person in front of him or her.
* Turn off the TV, radio or any other possible distractions when trying to communicate.
* Get the person's full attention before speaking, and refer to the person by name.
* If the person is trying to communicate but is having trouble finding words, gently try to suggest words the person may be looking for.
* Be patient and give the person plenty of time to think and respond.
Health Tip: When Alzheimer's Patients Wander
Wandering -- moving about without a definite purpose in mind -- is a common trait of a person with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. This can be dangerous for the patient, and be a source of great stress for worried caregivers and loved ones.
Here are suggestions for what to do when Alzheimer's patients wander, courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association:
* Enroll your loved one in a nationwide identification program specifically for dementia-related wandering, which can help them return home safe.
* Keep contact information at hand for neighbors and local emergency services personnel, and keep them informed about the patient's condition.
* Install deadbolt or slide-bolt locks on all exterior doors. But never attempt to lock an Alzheimer's patient indoors without supervision.
* Limit access to dangerous areas, both inside and near the home.
* Keep in mind that Alzheimer's patients may wander in virtually any form of transportation, including bus or taxi.
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