RespiteMatch.com Health Blog

There are specialized techniques that can be utilized in caring for a person with Alzheimer’s. Some of these are contrary to the way we have learned to treat others. The participant is an individual, who in spite of memory loss and confusion often retains some social graces and who is sometimes aware of their condition. The lack of confidence and loss of a sense of personal dignity can be devastating. When everyone and everything is unfamiliar and you can’t remember things one minute to the next the world can be a frightening place. Therefore, PATIENCE, UNDERSTANDING, ACCEPTANCE, RESPECT, CALMNESS are essential.

􀂃 Use relaxed body language. Be calm, smiling, and sincere.

􀂃 Use touch if the participant is responsive to it. A simple pat on the arm, holding hands, or a hug, will often convey feelings of caring and acceptance. However, some participants will not respond to touching in a positive manner. Most will.

􀂃 Maintain eye contact and speak slowly and calmly using short sentences without choices. Choices are difficult to make for a person with memory loss. Use suggestions rather than asking questions (“Let’s have some juice,” instead of, “would you like juice or coffee?”).

􀂃 Using distraction by changing the subject will often solve an undesirable situation. They will forget in moments what went on before.

􀂃 Identify yourself and use their name to ‘tune’ them in to you. They will forget who you are from session to session. Trying to get them to remember people or events previous even within the same day can often be frustrating to them.

􀂃 Join in a participant’s make believe world or in the past. They are often not able to live in the present and feel more comfortable in the past. If you have trouble understanding them, try to focus on a word or phrase that you can repeat back to them for recognition of their effort. Even understanding their feelings rather than their thoughts is recognition. They may repeat the story or thoughts or questions over and over. Stay calm and patient.

􀂃 Their attention spans are very short. Repeating directions in a calm and matter of fact manner will reassure them. Remember to encourage them to take activities one step at a time and to talk them through it rather than doing it for them. Praise them for their efforts.

􀂃 The confused person often misjudges situations and becomes suspicious and accusing. They may make unkind remarks and are not tactful. You can not take it personally because they are reacting to a situation which is threatening to them. They will not remember treating you this way. Use humor or distraction to change the situation. Participants can not be taught to remember recent events or moral lessons.

􀂃 Feeling deserted after only a few minutes can cause anxiety. Reassure them and be truthful about what time it is and when their family/caregiver will return. This anxiousness may be repeated numerous times. You must repeat your reassurances patiently since they will not remember they or you have had the conversation before.

􀂃 Creativity and flexibility are necessary in your approach to the participant. If one approach doesn’t work, try another one.

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