How to Interact with Persons Living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

One of the biggest challenges facing the family of persons living with Alzheimer’s and dementia is learning how to effectively communicate with their loved one. Because it is such a devastating and stressful illness for the family to cope with, despair often leads to frustration. It is at these times that whatever level communication is possible breaks down and transforms into an angry, dysfunctional and counter-productive interaction.

Here are some tips on how to communicate with your loved one.

  • Never argue – rather agree
  • Never reason – rather divert
  • Never shame – rather distract
  • Never lecture – rather reassure
  • Never say, “Remember” – rather reminisence
  • Never say, “I told you” – rather repeat
  • Never say, “You can’t” – do what they can
  • Never command – rather ask
  • Never condescend – rather encourage
  • Never force – rather reinforce

arents who give up on how they present themselves.

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