Do you have a loved one with dementia? If so, you may already know that communication can be tough. Your elderly loved one might trail off a bit during conversations. They might not be able to find the right words when talking to you. These are only a couple of the things that might happen when communicating with your elderly loved one if they have dementia. However, there are some tips that you and elderly care providers can use to have better communication with your elderly loved one.
Simple Conversations
One of the things you should to when communicating with your loved one is to have simple conversations. There is only so much information that anyone can process at one time. Think about how you feel when someone is throwing too much information at you all at once. Now, try to remember that your elderly loved one’s brain is deteriorating. This means they can’t hold as much information at once. If you keep conversations with them short and simple, they can better communicate with you.
Being Understanding
You and the elderly care providers should be understanding of your elderly loved one. For instance, if your elderly loved one says they don’t remember a family trip you took together, let it go. It isn’t their fault they can’t remember. The disease is affecting their memory. If your elderly loved one has you repeat something, be understanding. They may not have understood what you said in the first place.
Agreeing More Often
When someone has dementia it affects their brain. It also affects their ability to properly communicate with others. For those of these reasons, you and the elderly care providers might notice your loved one has delusions or even insists they are right about something. When this happens, agree with them. For instance, if your elderly loved one insists someone stole their remote, let them know you understand how frustrating that can be. Tell them you and their elderly care providers will handle it. Then, you can just find their remote and tell your loved one it was returned.
Conclusion
These are some of the tips for better communication with your elderly loved one if they have dementia. People who have dementia don’t have control over what is happening to their brains. They can’t really improve their communication skills very well or at all. It is up to you and their elderly care providers to make the changes.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20047540
If you are considering elderly care in Galleria, TX, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
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