Communication

Communicating with a person who has Alzheimer’s Disease can be a challenge. Both understanding and being understood may be difficult. The ideas below may be helpful to communicate with an Alzheimer’s patient.

  • Choose simple words and short sentences and use a gentle, calm tone of voice.
  • Avoid talking to the person with Alzheimer’s Disease like a baby or talking about the person as if he or she weren’t there.
  • Minimize distractions and noise – such as the television or radio – to help the person focus on what you are saying.
  • Call the person by name, making sure you have his or her attention before speaking.
  • Allow enough time for a response. Be careful not to interrupt.
  • If the person with AD is struggling to find a word or communicate a thought, gently try to provide the word he or she is looking for.
  • Try to frame questions and instructions in a positive way.

Source: National Institute on Aging, one of the Federal government’s National Institutes of Health.