IMG_1143It helps to remember that Alzheimer’s impacts a person’s ability to process language. In order to reduce frustration for them (and for you), avoid giving complicated directions. Speak slowly and use sentences that have seven or fewer words.

Communicating in this manner takes more time. It takes a lot of patience. But if you can use simple language and pause in between short statements, it will help them understand the message you’re trying to convey. It will lessen their anxiety, and you’ll probably have more success in getting them to cooperate.

Just imagine how you’d feel if someone you didn’t know barged into your house and started talking rapidly in a language you didn’t understand. I don’t know about you, but I would probably feel frustrated and scared. If that person grabbed my hand and tried to take me somewhere, or if he/she tried to take off my clothes, I’d fight and howl like a banshee.

Nothing will make caring for someone with Alzheimer’s easy, but it might make it a little less exasperating if you can learn to speak to your care receiver in a language he/she can understand.