Please be patient! Don't give up on me! I really DO want to be a part of the conversation.
+Alzheimer's Reading Room
Judy Berry works with individuals suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia at the Lakeview Ranch. She submitted her list of communication tips under the article -- Ten Tips for Communicating with an Alzheimer’s Patient.
I have never seen a list of communication tips from the perspective of the person suffering from dementia. This reverses the typical communication paradigm in the Caregiver --- Patient model.
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How often do we consider that the patients is also trying to send us messages? Do we actively consider that we are on the receiving end -- that we are receivers of messages?
For me, it is instructive to reverse the paradigm and to look out of the eyes of the patient. If I was the patient how would I want to be treated? If I were the patient would I want the caregiver to try and go beyond themselves and understand me?
I believe I am fortunate because I went through the barrier between my mother and myself some time ago. I also noticed as part of this metamorphosis I had a new and different view of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
I wrote previously about how when I first saw a group of persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease it scared me. It was hard to look. Now, I find that I want to talk to them. I feel confident that I can whisper in their ear and let them know I see them.
I honestly believe I do see them. I certainly see them differently.
I asked myself what do I see? I see another person. It is as simple as that for me. In a way that is difficult to describe, with their dull look on their face, they seem to glow. This might sound strange -- they interest me. "I know you are in there."
I now see my mother as I had always seen her. This happened when I concluded we would live our live as we always had. I did have to learn to be kinder, gentler, and more understanding.
I finally came to an understanding. It was my communication and my behavior that determined the quality of our life each day. In order to communicate effectively you need to become both a sender and a receiver. The receiver learns not only to listen, but to take cues from the nonverbal behavior of the Alzheimer's sufferer. The Alzheimer's caregiver must learn by trial and error what words and what actions work. Try. Keep trying.
My advice to my fellow Alzheimer's caregivers. If you want to learn how to communicate more effectively you will need to become determined to do so. It takes a serious effort all the time, every day. Change is always difficult to accomplish. There is a big difference between wanting to change, and needing to change. I want chocolate but I don't need it. Needing to accomplish something brings with it the passion to accomplish.
If you accomplish this mission, not only will you improve the quality of life of the person suffering from Alzheimer's dementia, you will also be improving your own quality of life.
Each day, every day.
It is my belief that by looking at communication from the perspective below instead of feeling that you are surrounded by four very high walls, you might finally see that there is a door in the room.
Why not walk through the door?
By Judy Berry
Communication Tips Directly from Individuals with Early Memory Loss
- Speak with a smile, so I know that you care
- If you are tense, remember I feel your tension too
- A smile takes away tension and helps put me at ease
- Use language I understand – keep it simple, no jargon or slang
- Slow down your speech
- Keep it short and to the point, one idea at a time
- Be clear and concise
- Let me take the time to think through what you said to me
- Remember it takes me extra time to think through the meaning of word
- Let me set the pace of the conversation
- Let me be the leader in the conversation – give me charge of the conversation
- Make sure you have my attention
- Pause once you say your thoughts
- Pause so I can say my thoughts
- Give me time to find the words and to say my thoughts
- Take turns during a conversation
- Let me finish what I am trying to say, it takes a little longer & sometimes it takes a lot longer
- Take the time to help me get my thoughts out, ask me questions to help find the words
- Please repeat information if I ask
- Make sure I hear you, ask if I understand what you have said
- Tone of voice – adjust it up or down. Louder is NOT always better
- Ask me if I can hear you
- Face me when you talk, eye contact helps to get my complete attention
- Rephrase information if I’m having trouble understanding
- Please, don’t interrupt me
- Please be patient! Don't give up on me! I really DO want to be a part of the conversation
Judy Berry is the founder and CEO of Lakeview Ranch. Lakeview Ranch provides a unique model of specialized dementia care for those with aggressive behavior. The model focuses on prevention, rather than treatment to manage behavior. Judy is also the Executive Director and founder of the Dementia Care Foundation.
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Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room