Conversation Tips when Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's

As a caregiver of a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease, you have come to learn that many of the rules that you grew up knowing are no longer important when making sure your loved one can enjoy her days and have as little stress as possible. You may have found that you cannot do it all alone and have hired an Alzheimer’s home care provider to assist you regularly with tasks you never thought you’d have to do for your elderly loved one. You might also have your Alzheimer’s home care provider help you by providing your loved one companionship and someone else to connect with.

While connecting and having conversations may be difficult with your loved one, that may be because you’re still trying to follow the “old rules” of having a conversation with someone, such as friendly arguing over different points of view, or pointing out when something said is incorrect. You might also feel like you should always tell the truth, when in reality, many of these social constraints around conversations don’t help facilitate a good conversation with your loved one. They in fact can hurt it and your loved one. So, it’s time to unlearn some of those behaviors and practice newer ones that will bring your loved one peace and contentment.

It’s okay to lie. If your loved one still thinks his spouse is alive but is on an extended trip somewhere and asks you if their spouse is still on her trip, it’s okay to lie and say yes. It’s common for patients with dementia to believe their spouse is still alive and correcting them and reminding them that they are dead will only cause distress and pain. And the unfortunate truth is, it probably won’t be remembered tomorrow so you’ll have a similar conversation again. If lying helps your loved one cope, then it’s okay.

Alzheimer’s Home Care Top of the World FL – Conversation Tips when Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s

Don’t discuss topics you know you disagree on. Before your loved one was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, you might have enjoyed a good debate about politics or religion. Even if you both were supportive of different beliefs, trying to have those old debates will most likely cause stress and confusion for your loved one so it’s best to keep those topics off the table. If your loved one likes to goad you or your Alzheimer’s care provider into heated discussions, use diversion to end them quickly.

Don’t ask them if they remember something. While you clearly remember what you had for breakfast, your loved one may not, and asking him can cause frustration or embarrassment that he can’t remember. Instead, tell him what you remember, but don’t ask what he can.

Let them be right. If your loved one tells you his favorite football team won the Super Bowl last year but didn’t, don’t argue and tell him he’s wrong. Instead, a comment like “you have always been the biggest Cowboy fan I know,” is a great way to respond without pointing out that the Cowboys haven’t won the Super Bowl in almost 30 years.

Learning these new rules of engagement can help you and your loved one enjoy your conversations more.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care Services in Top of the World FL please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts at Home Ocala & The Villages, FL today. Call 352-414-5316

Touching Hearts at Home Ocala & The Villages, FL is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Ocala, The Villages, Dunnellon, Belleview, Top of the World, and the surrounding areas.