How to Talk to an Alzheimer's Patient?

Alzheimer's is one of the broadest forms ofdementia . It is also a progressive neurological disease that causes brain cells to shrink and disappear over time. In Alzheimer's disease, language and speech problems can be seen at different levels according to the stages. From the beginning of the disease until the advanced stages, trying to communicate with patients in a healthy way makes them feel better. In this case, the question "How should I talk to an Alzheimer's patient?" has an important place in communication. It is very important to maintain eye contact and use clear and easy sentences while maintaining communication.

Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurological disorder, can cause speech and language problems. It has been observed that the person with the disease has difficulty in naming words in the future and sometimes has difficulties in speaking. There are points to be considered when communicating with sick people. When communicating with these patients, it is recommended to maintain eye contact and to use clear and easy words.

What are the Communication Problems Seen in Alzheimer's Patients?

It is very difficult to communicate with Alzheimer's patients, they do not remember many situations. They may forget the correct word many times and have difficulty understanding some words. They may become distracted during long-term communication. Alzheimer's is one of the largest forms of dementia, a progressive neurological disease that causes brain cells to shrink over time and eventually disappear. This disorder can lead to impaired learning, memory, cognitive abilities, language functions, dysfunctions and mood disorders. Depending on the stage of the disorder, various levels of speech and language impairment can be seen.
Intense sensitivity to the level of touch and sounds is another factor that makes communication difficult. These patients may become frustrated and withdrawn when they see that there is a problem in communication. In order to combat communication problems in Alzheimer's disease, it is important to first understand what is causing these problems.

How to Communicate with Alzheimer's Patients?

In the middle stages of this disease, there may be difficulties in finding the name of the word. In such cases, it is possible to replace the word with a different word that is similar in meaning, say a different sound instead of a sound in the word, or use a word that has no meaning at all. Some points to be considered when communicating with these patients are as follows;

• While communicating with the sick person, addressing the patient by providing direct eye contact helps to attract the patient's attention.
• Attention should be paid to the tone of speech, tone of voice, eye contact and body language.
• Easy and simple instructions should be applied.
• It is appropriate to ask or say one question at a time.
• It is necessary to repeat the instructions and give the other person time to respond, waiting for them to finish.
• Whenever possible, a bilateral dialog should be established. This makes the patient feel better.
• The approach should be warm and affectionate, holding the patient's hand while talking will make it easier for them to communicate.
• Do not talk as if the sick person is not present or act like a baby while communicating.
• Even though it may be difficult to communicate, listening to their concerns, trying to understand them and letting them make some decisions on their own will help them to relax.
• Be patient with the patient's tantrums.
• It is not the patient who is talking, but their illness.
• If it becomes unbearable against all this, you should take a break.

The Biggest Problem of Patient Relatives: Uncertainty

While memory loss can be caused by the condition, the main problem for the relatives or caregivers of the affected person is not the condition, but the uncertainty it causes. Paying attention to and caring for an individual who is physically present but mentally and spiritually absent can cause a feeling of "uncertainty" in the patient's relatives. Methods to combat the feeling of "uncertainty" are as follows;

• Accepting the distress and anxiety caused by the absence of a loved one is one of the first conditions for dealing with this situation.
• Do not be afraid to communicate with other people and seek help from other family members and people in the neighborhood.
• Some behaviors may need to change in order to cope with this kind of stress, and this process is challenging and requires patience.
• You can help family members to care for the patient. For example, once a week one of your relatives can come and take care of the sick person while you take care of something else.
• Maintain activities such as celebrations and holidays with family members, but try to simplify them a bit.
• Set new goals and dreams. Make plans for new friendships, activities and travel. You can watch TV series, movies, documentaries.