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Does anyone have tips for communicating with someone with dementia?
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Apr 9 8:57pm | Replies (24)Comment receiving replies
Yes, communication with a person who has dementia can be challenging. When I first started caring for my cousin, who had dementia, I struggled, because I just thought it was memory that was affected. But, it’s much more including thought processing, communication, emotional processing, coordination, etc. Perhaps, your husband still retains some ability to read and recall. Currently, my dad, who has dementia, is not able to follow any written direction.
I recall writing simple instructions on post it notes for simple things for my cousin, but even though she could read the note, she was not able to follow the direction. There was a disconnect. For example, there would be a bowl with crackers inside that had a note on top that said FOR YOUR SNACK. But, she wasn’t able to read it, open the bowl and get her crackers. If I asked her to read it aloud, she could, but not follow the instructions. When she entered Assisted Living there was a huge sign right at eye level in front of the toilet that said Press Button For Help. She would sit there an hour without ringing for help. She could read the sign, but not follow the direction.
This is why when I hear about reminders for people with dementia, I wonder how helpful they are, because often reminders don’t help. The person may need direct instruction from a person who is in their presence.
Replies to "Yes, communication with a person who has dementia can be challenging. When I first started caring..."
Similar with my mom, she entered Memory Care last week. We moved the help cord closer to her bed, but it hasn't registered yet for her to pull it when she needs help in the middle of the night or when she gets up in the morning. I'm concerned about her trying to stand up on her own. They lower the hospital bed while she is sleeping and place a fall pad on the floor. Rails are illegal here in Arizona. It is a 'Right to Fall' state. I think she gets up at around 6:30 or 7:00 and sits there for possibly up to an hour waiting for someone.
It's heartbreaking to think of her sitting there feeling helpless, lonely and abandoned.
The caregivers added a assign next to the pull cord with the message "Pull cord for help. Do not get up by yourself."
We will keep trying to reinforce the messaging and encourage her to use the pull cord and raise your hand and ask for help throughout the day. I'm not sure that it is registering very well.
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Since I posted about this, I read an article that suggested writing notes or at least trying it to see if it works. I will try it one day just to see.
What was the cause of your cousin's dementia? I'm making a guess here, but I think that there are likely differences depending on the cause, as well as commonalities regardless of the cause. My husband's is due to his having had seven TIAs and one bigger stroke (according to the MRI because all we were aware of was one TIA). I would guess that two people with dementia due to strokes could have some differences in their symptoms depending on which area of the brain was affected.
I did buy one of those calendar/clock combos that tell the day of the week, date, time, and whether it's morning, afternoon, evening, or night. He was always straining to read his last-century watch that he got when he retired and he never knew what month, day, or year it was. Now he can read it and often does out loud. I don't know if he remembers that information when he leaves the room, but at least he can see it when he wants to. He really likes it. So do I, for that matter, just because it's a very useful item, period.