Alzheimer’s disease: Communication Tools for Caregivers

Communicating with Alzheimer’s patients

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, patients often lose the ability to express themselves, increasing their feelings of isolation and frustration. Communication difficulties can contribute to the aggressive or inappropriate behaviors often associated with the disease. Similarly, caregivers may feel anxious and depressed over their inability to communicate with their loved ones. Learning simple strategies for communicating with Alzheimer’s patients can make the process less difficult and thereby improve the relationship between caregivers and patients.

In order to better communicate with Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers must first understand some of challenges their loved ones face. Because of their diminishing attention spans, it is easy for Alzheimer’s patients to become distracted and lose their train of thought; therefore, a long-winded conversation partner or a noisy environment, such as a restaurant, may severely impede their ability to have a conversation. Poor short term memory often causes them to repeat what they already said or forget what they were already told, frustrating their conversation partner. It also takes much longer for them to verbalize what they are thinking, and they may be unable to grasp certain words. Finally, patients who are hard of hearing or legally blind, which are communication roadblocks in their own right, may find communication doubly frustrating. When communicating with Alzheimer’s patients, it is helpful for caregivers to keep these limitations in mind so that they can communicate with their loved one from a place of compassion rather than impatience or anxiety.

While the limitations that Alzheimer’s patients face in communicating are great, using some simple creative listening techniques can knock down many of the barriers between patient and caregiver. First, when communicating with Alzheimer’s patients, it is important to keep in mind that they want to express themselves and may do so with their nonverbal expressions of emotion and behaviors as much as with their words. These modes of communication should not be overlooked. Similarly, caregivers must listen nonverbally as well, with eye contact, a smile or a hug. Interrupting or arguing, which are impediments to conversation in normal circumstances, can be particularly frustrating for an Alzheimer’s patient, leading to disruptive behaviors. Caregivers must be patient and allow their loved ones extra time to speak. Finally, it is important to interpret statements made by Alzheimer’s patients as both literal expressions and expressions of emotion.

Caregivers can also employ various techniques to improve their chances of being understood by Alzheimer’s patients. They should establish rapport first by introducing themselves and using the patient’s name. They should focus on fundamentals, such as speaking slowly and clearly for short periods of time. If they have instructions to deliver, they should break them down into manageable chunks that won’t stress the patient’s attention span or memory. Rather than using questions that require further explanation from patients, such as “How do you feel?,” they should ask yes or no questions, such as “Do you feel tired?” This advice runs counter to typical communication techniques, but nonverbal communication, such as a nod of the head, and verbal responses requiring simple vocabulary speed communication with Alzheimer’s patients. Most importantly, caregivers should express themselves with an attitude of love and concern rather than frustration or impatience when communicating with Alzheimer’s patients.