Reprints

A single copy of this article may be reprinted for personal, noncommercial use only.

Alzheimer's: Tips for effective communication

By Mayo Clinic staff
Original Article:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers/AZ00004
The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Alzheimer's: Tips for effective communication

Alzheimer's gradually erodes communication skills. Know what to expect — and what you can do to promote effective communication.

By Mayo Clinic staff

When you try to communicate with a loved one who has Alzheimer's disease, you may feel like you've dropped through the rabbit hole into Alice's wonderland.

Because Alzheimer's disease slowly erodes communication skills, your loved one's words and behavior may make little or no sense to you. In turn, your loved one may have just as much trouble deciphering your words. The resulting misunderstandings can fray tempers all around, making communication even more difficult. Here's help easing the frustration.

What to expect

Alzheimer's damages pathways in the brain, which makes it difficult to find the right words and to understand what others are saying. Your loved one may incorrectly substitute one word for another, or invent an entirely new word to describe a familiar object. He or she may get stuck in a groove — like a skipping record — and repeat the same word or question over and over.

A person who has Alzheimer's may also:

  • Lose his or her train of thought
  • Struggle to organize words logically
  • Need more time to understand what you're saying
  • Curse or use offensive language

What you can do to help

Despite the challenges, you can communicate effectively with a loved one who has Alzheimer's. Consider these tips:

  • Speak clearly. Introduce yourself. Speak in a clear, straightforward manner.
  • Show respect. Avoid secondary baby talk and diminutive phrases, such as "good girl." Don't assume that your loved one can't understand you, and don't talk about your loved one as though he or she weren't there.
  • Show interest. Maintain eye contact, and stay near your loved one so that he or she will know that you're listening and trying to understand.
  • Avoid distractions. Communication may be difficult — if not impossible — against a background of competing sights and sounds.
  • Keep it simple. Use short sentences and plain words. Ask yes-no questions, and only one question at a time. Break down tasks or requests into single steps.
  • Don't interrupt. It may take several minutes for your loved one to respond. Avoid criticizing, hurrying and correcting.
  • Use visual cues. Sometimes gestures or other visual cues promote better understanding than words alone. Rather than simply asking if your loved one needs to use the bathroom, for example, take him or her to the toilet and point to it.
  • Don't argue. Your loved one's reasoning and judgment will decline over time. To spare anger and agitation, don't argue with your loved one.
  • Stay calm. Even when you're frustrated, keep your voice gentle. Your nonverbal cues, including the tone of your voice, may send a clearer message than what you actually say.

Communicating with your loved one may be challenging, especially as the disease progresses. Remember, however, your loved one isn't acting this way on purpose. Don't take it personally. Use patience and understanding to help your loved one feel safe and secure.

References
  1. Communication: Best ways to interact with the person with dementia. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/national/documents/brochure_communication.pdf. Accessed Feb. 11, 2010.
  2. Caregiver guide. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/caregiverguide.htm. Accessed Feb. 11, 2010.
  3. Williams KN, et al. Elderspeak communication: Impact on dementia care. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias. 2009;24:11.
  4. Small JA, et al. Effectiveness of communication strategies used by caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease during activities of daily living. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 2003;46:353.
  5. Miller CA. Communication difficulties in hospitalized older adults with dementia: Try these techniques to make communicating with patients easier and more effective. American Journal of Nursing. 2008;108:58.
  6. Communicating with an Alzheimer's patient. Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation. http://www.alzinfo.org/alzheimers-treatment-facts-communicating.asp. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
AZ00004 June 10, 2010

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger