How to Create Meaningful Interactions with a Person Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease

By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health

June 16, 2020

Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain in a way that creates memory loss, difficulty thinking and changes to a person’s behavior. This disease becomes a greater risk in people over the age of 65 and affects more than five million Americans. June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and according to the Alzheimer’s Association,

Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States;
one in 10 people over age 65 has Alzheimer’s disease, and one in three seniors die with Alzheimer’s;
in 2020, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia will cost the nation $305 billion;
there are more than 16 million unpaid caregivers who provide an estimated 18.6 billion hours of care to people with Alzheimer’s.

Diminishing communication skills is one of the most common symptoms caused by the disease, and caregivers, friends and family members often have difficulty creating meaningful interactions with these patients. Here are some strategies and tips to engage with your loved one afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Understand the Stage of the Disease’s Progression

Why it matters:

Depending on your loved one’s stage of Alzheimer’s, his or her ability to communicate will differ. A patient in early stage Alzheimer’s will be able to hold a conversation and engage in social activities. The middle stage will create more communication hurdles, and late stage Alzheimer’s patients rely on nonverbal communication such as facial movements.

Early stage communication tips:

Include the person in conversation and speak directly to him/her, not just to his/her caregiver.
Listen to the person when he/she expresses feelings, inner thoughts and fears by keeping eye contact.
Have a conversation about what kind of communication is most comfortable, for example, face-to-face, email or text.

Middle stage communication tips:

Speak slowly and clearly in an environment with a minimum level of noise and stimuli.
Allow the person time to think and respond before interjecting with another question or topic.
Interact with yes and no questions, for example, Did it rain today? versus How was the weather today?
Avoid asking too many questions, as it can feel overwhelming for your loved one to think of all the responses.

Late stage communication tips:

Use nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions and pointing.
Consider the emotional impact of words when you speak, for example, saying “I love you” and sharing a happy memory you have with the person will resonate better than talking about a generic topic.
Avoid acting or speaking in a way that makes the person feel like he/she is invisible. Your physical presence matters to your loved one, even if he/she does not remember who you are.

Ease the Communication Process

Why it matters:

It is easy to get frustrated by your loved one’s inability to respond or to take offense to an angry outburst or to forgetting a conversation you recently had. Keep in mind Alzheimer’s and other dementias affect communication styles, a person’s “filter” and behavior. You know how your loved one would have responded before Alzheimer’s. Take a moment to remind yourself of who he or she really is to stay grounded in your relationship.

Communication tips:

Make eye contact and use the person’s name.
Be warm and open in your tone and mannerisms.
Try to avoid interruption, whether from what is around you or with your own words.
Do not use baby talk or a baby voice when speaking.
Be specific in your instructions, positive in your choice of words and avoid pointing out mistakes or memory lapses by asking, “Do you remember?” or “Don’t you remember?”
Help with word recall in a conversation by filling in the blanks but be careful not to jump in too quickly.

It can feel awkward and sometimes frustrating when communicating with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease. However, it is important to keep trying to communicate and engage with your loved one. Depending on the stage he or she is experiencing, your loved one may also feel frustrated and fearful about what is happening. Stay empathetic and seek out resources such as the ones listed below, which provide more education on how to interact with your loved one in a meaningful way:

Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/communications
BrightFocus® Foundation: https://www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers/article/tips-communicating-person-who-has-alzheimers-disease
National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-caregiving-changes-communication-skills