Talking To A Person With Alzheimer's Disease

On  April 3rd 2009, an article written by Dr. Robert Griffith, entitled, How To Talk To Someone With Alzheimer’s, was posted at the web site www.health&age.com.

I rediscovered Dr. Griffith’s list this past week among my research notes and decided to review it again.

Collectively, the list of do’s and don’t do’s is a shorthand guide for stepping into or making the crossover connection from our world into what some call Alzheimer’s World.

WHAT TO DO
1.  Approach the person from the front, make eye contact, and say your name if you are not recognized.

2.   Speak slowly, calmly, and use a friendly facial expression. Use short, simple, and familiar words.

3    Show that you are listening and trying to understand what is being said.

4.   Be careful not to interrupt; avoid arguing and criticizing.

5.   Ask one question at a time, and allow them time to reply.

6.   Make positive suggestions rather than negative ones.

7.   Identify others by name, rather than using  pronouns (she, he, etc.).

8.   Make suggestions if the person has trouble choosing.

9.   Empathize; have patience and understanding.  Touch, hug, make physical contact if it helps.

10. Try to understand the person’s feelings and emotions, which may be hidden behind the words.  You can ask whether the person is feeling angry or frustrated about a particular situation.

11. Be aware that the person may want to point or gesture, if at a loss for words.

WHAT NOT TO DO
1.   Don’t talk about the person as if he or she weren’t there.

2.   Don’t confront or correct, it it can be avoided.

3.   Don’t treat the person as a child, but as an adult.

The list all boils down to this: taking the time and pains to treat and interact with an AD patient with empathy for their feelings and extending them respect for their dignity, fears and frustrations. 

My wife and I have been emerged now in Alzheimer’s World for 7 years. We have two family members with the disease who are nursing home residents. Even after all this time, however, we sometimes stumble and fall off the candle lighted trail that  Dr. Griffith’s guideline provides.

Jot down a copy and keep it with you. Let it serve you as a GPS for how  to treat your patient or loved one like the human they still are; just not as they wish they were or used to be.


Jeff Dodson
November 5th 2011