Communication With People With Dementia Of The Alzheimer's Type

Dementia is a generic term for many different diseases and disorders. Alzheimer's disease is one of the conditions often called dementia. While it mostly affects older people, this isn't always the case. There are many theories as to why people might contract Alzheimer's but nothing has been proven. There may be a genetic factor in some cases. Alzheimer's does not differentiate between its victims. They may be of any race or gender, and academics or laborers. The incidence increases with age but not all old people contract Alzheimer's.

This is a progressive disease of the brain. Loss of memory is one of the first symptoms. Many older people experience some degree of memory loss. With Alzheimer's, the condition worsens and other symptoms begin to show up. Gradually the ability to reason is lost. They become unable to care for themselves. They eventually become incontinent and unable to speak.

Symptoms differ between individuals. Some have quite huge personality changes. They may become hostile with loved ones, accusing them of stealing or adultery. Medications are forgotten, appliances may be left turned on and they may not recognize friends and, later, family. It is very difficult for a family member to care for someone with Alzheimer's, especially in the later stages.

Some are able to exchange pleasantries with others for a time. Later their speech becomes erratic or incomprehensible. Many cope well while their spouse is there to help. They mimic their partner's responses and manage quite well socially until the partner becomes ill or is not around.

Many have an uncontrollable urge to walk and will spend their days and nights wandering around. This becomes too wearing for a single carer as they must be continually on the alert. Most sufferers need to go into care eventually.

Communicating with a person with dementia can be difficult. The person often processes information incorrectly. This leads to misunderstanding and misinterpretation. It is cited that 90% of communication is non-verbal. When a person starts to lose their verbal skills, non-verbal communication becomes increasingly important.

It is important to get the sufferer's attention before speaking to them. Make eye contact. Find an area without distracting activity or noise in the background. Speak clearly and a little slower than normal. Give them time to process what you are saying. Keep sentences short and simple.

Respect their personal space. Getting too close, especially if the person doesn't know you, can cause them to lash out. Don't stand over them but try to get down to their level so they don't feel intimidated. Avoid sudden movements and use positive facial expressions to help get your message across. Use hand gestures to supplement your words.

It is important to avoid contradicting the person. Avoid orders and commands but request an action in a gentle tone. Don't raise your voice or speak sharply. They will pick up on the tone rather than on the content of your speech. Making decisions can be very confusing for them so limit choices as much as possible. Never talk about a dementia sufferer as if they are not there. These people usually feel very isolated and excluded. If they are treated as if they are invisible, these feelings will only be reinforced. Always treat them with compassion and respect.


Communicating With Those Who Have Dementia Of The Alzheimer's Type

There are a number of conditions and disorders which come under the umbrella term 'dementia'. Alzheimer's disease is one of these. This mostly affects older people but not all old people get the condition. It is possible for young or middle-aged people to fall ill with this. There are no proven reasons why a person should contract Alzheimer's but there seems to be a genetic link in some cases. Alzheimer's does not distinguish between race, gender, religion or occupation. Professionals and laborers alike fall prey to it.

Alzheimer's affects the brain in a progressive manner. Losing one's memory is an early symptom. This occurs to a degree as a natural aging process. However, in the case of Alzheimer's, the memory is gradually lost completely along with other faculties. They become unable to reason. They need help with the activities of daily living. Incontinence is common and the ability to speak is lost.

Not everyone is affected in the same way by this disease. The personality gradually changes. Some become aggressive while others become paranoid that their loved ones are stealing from them or are having an affair. They forget to take medications; leave appliances turned on and eventually will be unable to recognize family and friends. With such major changes taking place, it is almost impossible for a family member to continue to care for a sufferer, particularly in the later stages.

Some cope well enough with social chitchat. Some echo what their spouses or carers say. If the support of the spouse is removed, outsiders may suddenly find the sufferer isn't coping well at all. Eventually their speech ceases to make much sense at all.

Some are driven to continually walk, both during the day and at night. They become a danger to others and themselves. Behaviors such as this take a huge toll on the health of the carer if they don't have support. Eventually full-time care becomes too much and the sufferer must go into a care facility.

Communication can be difficult. Because of the condition, information may be processed incorrectly, leading to misinterpretations and misunderstandings. Ninety percent of communication is non-verbal. This type of interaction becomes more and more important for people with dementia.

Ensure you have the sufferer's attention before you begin speaking. There should be no activities or background noise which will distract the sufferer. Make eye contact and speak slowly and clearly. Wait for them to process what you have said. Avoid complex sentences.

Avoid crowding the person. If they feel intimidated, they may lash out, especially if they feel they don't know you. Talk to them at their level rather than standing over them. Keep your facial expression relaxed and positive. Use gestures to help give meaning to your speech.

Arguing or contradicting a person with dementia will only confuse and distress or anger them. Request an action rather than giving orders. Don't speak sharply. Avoid giving too many choices as this also confuses them. Above all, don't speak as though they are not there. Especially in the early stages, these people have enough awareness of their condition to feel excluded and isolated. Being ignored will increase their feelings of isolation. Always treat them with consideration and respect.


How To Communicate With People Afflicted With Dementia Of The Alzheimer's Type

The term 'dementia' covers a range of disorders and disease. One of these is Alzheimer's disease. Older people are more likely to succumb to Alzheimer's but young people can also contract it. While there are a number of theories as to its causes, nothing has been proven. It would seem that it is passed on genetically in some cases. Anyone can get Alzheimer's. Professional people are just as likely to have Alzheimer's as construction workers. Although the risk increases with age, not all old people will get Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's is a disease of the brain. There is progressive malfunction. Usually the first symptoms involve loss of memory. This becomes worse until the person no longer recognizes his family. He is unable to reason and begins to need assistance with personal care. Incontinent affects most. They become unable to speak.

Symptoms vary from person to person. There are often major personality changes. Hostility is relatively common. They may think people are planning to harm them or steal their belongings. They become a danger to themselves by leaving appliances turned on or getting lost when shopping. They may forget medications or take a double dose. Eventually they are unable to recognize their friends. This then extends to their family. As person nears the late stages of the disease, the workload on a family member carer becomes too heavy for the safety of either person.

Many cope with social niceties for some time, especially if they have a spouse or carer to support them. They may be revealed as quite impaired if the spouse should suddenly be unable to be there for support. They may pass the time of day pleasantly then begin to make no sense at all with their conversation.

Many have a compulsion to walk all day and night. This impacts very negatively on a family carer, especially if they are unable to access respite. Continual wakefulness is a prime reason why a dementia sufferer has to be taken into care.

Communication becomes difficult. Due to incorrect processing, information may be misunderstood or misinterpreted. Non-verbal communication becomes very important for sufferers of dementia. It is estimated that 90% of all communication is non-verbal.

To maximize success in communication, attract the sufferer's attention before attempting to converse with them. Find a quiet spot with no distractions. When you have their attention, speak clearly and slowly using short, simple sentences. Allow time for them to process what you've said.

Don't invade their personal space. This can make them feel threatened. If they think you are a stranger, they may hit out at you. Get down to their level and avoid standing over them. They will be processing your facial expressions so keep a happy, animated expression. Use gestures to reinforce your words.

Don't contradict or argue with a person with dementia. They will not understand. Suggest or request an action in a positive tone but avoid giving orders. Use an even tone without speaking sharply. Don't confuse them by offering too many choices. And finally, never talk about a person with Alzheimer's as if they were not there. These people are quite capable of feeling isolated and excluded, especially in the early stages of the disease. Being ignored will only reinforce these feelings. These people deserve consideration and respect.



