Throughout the typical course of Alzheimer's disease, individuals will progress through three stages. With each stage, they will encounter more difficulties focusing on conversation, forming words, and understanding language and visual cues, and they will become easily confused or overwhelmed. In the final stage, they will rely heavily on nonverbal interactions, as their ability to effectively speak and comprehend may be lost. As you provide your parent with Alzheimer's care, it's important to maintain communication in ways that best support their current condition. Here are a few tips to help in this process.

How to Communicate With a Parent Who Has Alzheimer's

1. Converse in Quiet Environments

It's easy to take casual conversation for granted. However, for a person with Alzheimer's, a low-key chat or even a simple question can require significant effort. Try to converse in quiet environments that are free from distractions like televisions and phones. Speak slowly and clearly, and maintain eye contact throughout the exchange.

2. Ask Yes-or-No Questions

Alzheimer's care professionals will often ask individuals simple questions that can be answered with a yes or no. This eliminates stress and confusion and allows for easy communication. For instance, if you want to cook dinner for Mom or Dad, don't ask them what they'd like to eat; the possibilities can seem endless and overwhelming to your parent. Instead, offer them a specific dish. Asking them if they’d like macaroni and cheese provides them with two possible answers, while simply asking what they’d like for dinner could frustrate them.

3. Be Patient

When language abilities become compromised, it’s scary for both the individual with Alzheimer's and for their loved ones. Be as patient as possible when communicating with your parent. Don't get frustrated or angry by the challenges they're encountering. Give them time to answer questions and reply to you. Encourage them with visual signs, such as eye contact, smiles, and a hand on the shoulder. Instead of trying to correct them when they misspeak, try to find the meaning of what they're saying and respond to that.

Alzheimer's care is crucial to your parent's health and comfort. Visiting Angels serves clients throughout Ocean and Monmouth Counties in New Jersey. In addition to Alzheimer's care, they provide in-home assistance with the tasks of independent living, as well as respite care services to help relieve the stress that loved ones feel. Call (732) 240-1050 or visit them online to schedule time with a compassionate caregiver today.