Alzheimer's and other types of dementia gradually destroy memory, making it increasingly difficult to communicate with others. Nevertheless, it is all the more important for family and carers to engage with the Alzheimer's patient. As the patient's ability to recognise others and remember events and conversations diminishes, healthy people have to change their perspective. 

 

 

Secrets to better dialogue with Alzheimer's patients

 

1st conversation without time pressure

 

You cannot talk to a person with dementia under time pressure. It is important that you give the patient the time they need to react and realise. Give yourself and the patient time to develop a conversation in which both of you are on common ground.

 

2. let him finish

 

Even if it sometimes takes a few minutes to finish a sentence, you should wait until the Alzheimer's patient has organised their thoughts and can finish them themselves. If you finish his sentences before he has mentally caught up, you will discourage him from speaking in the future.

 

3. speak in short sentences

 

Speaking in short, uncomplicated sentences does not mean that you have to treat the patient like a child. You just have to learn to condense your thoughts and only use the important words. An excessive flow of words overwhelms the Alzheimer's patient. 

 

4. do not put yourself under pressure

 

If you start your sentences with the phrase: "Do you remember...", the patient will immediately feel under pressure to remember and it will cause them a lot of internal stress. Instead, say sentences like, "That was nice when we were ....., wasn't it?"

 

 

5. do not ask more than one question at a time

 

The mental processing of a question is difficult enough for the diseased brain. So don't overwhelm the patient by asking several questions at the same time without giving them time to answer them.

 

6 Speaking is not everything

 

When dealing with someone with Alzheimer's, it is not a question of always maintaining a conversation. It is much more important to smile or cry together, shake hands occasionally and, above all, listen to what they have to say. Pay attention to the non-verbal communication of their feelings and react to them accordingly. If the patient becomes aggressive or stressed, steer the conversation in a different direction.

 

7 Communicating by other means

 

 With Alzheimer's patients in particular, you should concentrate less on the spoken word and instead communicate using paper and pen, a writing tablet or iPad. Listening to music together also has an incredibly calming effect on the patient. Of course, make sure that the patient listens to their favourite music, not yours.

 

8. search for a bond

 

Maintain eye contact, hold hands or put your arm around the patient. Such bonds help you to concentrate on each other and not wander off.

 

9. keep calm

 

Even if it scares you, try not to show it to the patient. If possible, remember the person before the disease changed them. Relive the past together with the person with Alzheimer's.

 

10. don't take anything personally

 

Dementia attacks the brain and destroys memories as a result. If the patient can't remember a lot of things or even no longer remembers you, try not to take it to heart because it is not directed at you personally. Even if it hurts, it's not the patient's fault. Try to react calmly and, if necessary, start again each time.