Spending time with a loved one in the midst of dementia will require some adjustments on your part. With guidance from an experienced long term care staff, you’ll be better equipped to have successful interactions. Located in Covington, KY, St. Charles Community has set the standard for humane and caring senior living. With a range of useful elder care services at their disposal, the professionals will help you make life as easy as possible for your loved ones. 

Here are three helpful practices for interacting with your family member going through dementia:

• Be Positive: When speaking with someone suffering from dementia, words often carry less weight than the mood you project. Talk in an upbeat fashion and bring positive energy into the room to make the interaction more comfortable and warm for the other person. Even if your loved one doesn’t catch every word you say, the tone of your voice will play a major role in how they respond. 
• Go With the Flow: The last thing you want to do when interacting with someone with dementia is to engage in an argument. Avoid getting into intense discussions, even if you think they might be wrong. Choose compassion instead of righteousness, and you’ll help your loved one avoid unnerving and disorienting feelings. Using physical contact can help anchor them in the present mood, and connect the two of you. 
• Strive for Clarity: Before worrying about what to say when making a visit, make sure you’re in a position where you can be heard. Spend a few minutes reducing distractions in the room — mute or turn off the TV, for instance, and close the door to prevent other ambient noise. When you start the conversation, opt for shorter sentences with simple and clear meanings. A good tool is to use the individual’s name often to help redirect their attention.

To ensure that your loved one is in the best possible environment contact the St. Charles Community.  St. Charles offers a free Senior Resource Center for the Aging.  It is led by a team of experienced professionals and problem solvers to help seniors and their families navigate the maze of aging resources. You can speak to a friendly staff member by calling (859) 331-3224. Learn more about the skilled care by visiting their website.