Communicating better
Communication also becomes increasingly difficult for a person with AD who is unable to remember the right words or appropriate response. Therefore, a carer must learn new ways of coping with unusual behaviour and adapt their methods of communication accordingly. The suggestions below are some reminders of how to communicate more effectively with people
with AD.
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Communicate simply, not giving too much information at once.
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Help with communication by listening carefully to what the person is saying. Make eye contact and use positive body language. Always reply clearly and calmly, and make sure that competing noises such as TV or radio, are limited.
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Be reassuring and use humour if appropriate. This can often be helpful in relieving tension.
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If the person cannot remember day-today events, try discussing memories from the past – these are frequently easier for the patient to remember, and can bring back happy thoughts.
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If there are choices to make, phrase the question so that the person can answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’. It is important to continue to allow the person to make as many choices as possible.
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If asking a person to do something doesn’t work, then try showing them what to do instead.
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Treat the person as the adult he or she is, and not as a child. Continue to respect them and try to avoid being patronising or insulting to their self-esteem.
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Be encouraging, kind and openly affectionate towards the person. They will always be able to feel emotions, and this is one guaranteed way of communicating.
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Keep communicating, even if there is no answer.