3 Things You Shouldn’t Say to a Senior Loved One Who Has Dementia
While it may be challenging to hold conversations with seniors living with dementia, some communication methods may work better than others. Below are some of the words, questions, and phrases to avoid and constructive ways to hold discussions. The objectives are to recognize any cognitive changes and challenges that have occurred and to alter your conversations in a way that helps your aging loved one engage and remember things without feeling any pressure.
1. Long & Complex Questions
The best way to keep your loved one with dementia active in daily discussions is to ask questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Asking what your loved one specifically likes could require a more challenging response, causing him or her to withdraw from the discussion, act out angrily, or leave the conversation altogether.Refrain from asking open-ended questions. Your goal should be to offer a straightforward inquiry that can be met with an easy answer. If you want to follow up, you can do so, but only ask one question at a time, and make the query simple. For example, you could ask “Would you like a cup of water?” instead of inquiring what your loved one would like to drink. Doing the latter could force your loved one to think about what’s in the kitchen, which may be frustrating for them.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but dementia care experts are available to help. If your loved one is living with dementia, you can trust the compassionate professional caregivers from Companioa by Institute on Aging (IOA) to enhance his or her quality of life.
2.Inaccuracies
While it may be necessary to explain when your loved one with dementia has made a mistake, you should never say it directly. Instead, find a positive way to tell your loved one about his or her error.
One example would be to say that even though your loved one put their socks on the wrong feet, they did an excellent job with another task. This method could boost your loved one’s confidence while helping them understand the mistake, effectively avoiding them getting angry and choosing not to try the task again.
The days, weeks, and months following a dementia diagnosis can be challenging for both seniors and their families. However, these challenges can be made less stressful with the help of caregivers trained in professional dementia and Alzheimer’s care. Companioa by IOA is here to help your loved one enjoy the golden years while simultaneously managing the symptoms of dementia.
3.Asking What They Remember
Although it’s good to keep your loved one’s memory strong and to look for ways to gauge what they remember or are beginning to forget, refrain from asking directly. In addition to staying away from open-ended questions, as mentioned above, avoid asking questions about what your loved one did yesterday, if they remember your name, or things that happened in the past. Your loved one should never feel like they’re being quizzed. If so, it could lead to negative responses due to feelings of disrespect and stress from trying to remember fundamental aspects of life
Instead of trying to force your loved one to recall people, places, and objects, find ways to trigger their memory with positive activities and strategies, such as cooking a family recipe together, watching a classic film, or listening to songs by your loved one’s favorite artists from their youth. You can also show your loved one old family photos and let them remember voluntarily instead of repeatedly asking who someone is.For dementia and Alzheimer’s care families can count on, reach out to Companioa by IOA. Our compassionate home caregivers are specially trained and certified in dementia care, and they use revolutionary memory care programs to help seniors delay the progression of dementia. In addition, our state-of-the-art adult day program, which is specifically designed for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, provides social engagement, a wide variety of cognitively stimulating activities, and group exercises. We’ll work with you to create a customized care plan suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call us today at (415) 750-4111 to schedule a consultation.
