← Return to Communicating Challenges With Lewy Body and Dementia

Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@larryh123

Hello:
I wanted to share an experience I am running into - maybe some of you are noticing this as well.

I have seen this statement used when communicating with someone with MCI and / or dementia.
“Keep it short and to the point, one idea at a time”

I just can’t multitask anymore. When someone is describing something to me - after a certain point I have tuned out because it is overload. I wonder if that makes them feel like I’m not interested? I guess I worry about that as well.
My youngest son will tell me about his day at work. After the 2nd thing I’m not following anymore. I just nod and hope he doesnt ask me anything about what he said. Very frustrating.

Here’s the hypocrisy - I want you to be short and to the point - I cant do that most of the time. My wife and lovely caregiver says I can take 5 minutes to say what should take a minute or less. Maybe like I’m doing here. So bear with us!!!

Go easy with us. We want to have normal conversations. Just with some modifications.

Any suggestions?

Peace
Larry H

Jump to this post


Replies to "Hello: I wanted to share an experience I am running into - maybe some of you..."

Hi Larry, One thing that might help is asking for more specific information. If you ask your son how his day at work went, maybe try asking, what was the best thing that happened at work today, or the worst, or the funniest. It will narrow the focus, reduce the amount of information you're receiving and maybe stand out because it's a superlative -therefore memorable. I worked in Huma Resources for years and that's a technique employed in Behavior Descriptive Interviewing. Best, tsc.