Of course we can communicate every day…we talk, we respond, we process what needs to be done so to whomever we are speaking with understands.

However that changes when a loved one suffers from dementia. Whether the loved one lives with us or a parent, it is up to us to lessen their frustration by learning to communicate at their level of understanding.

As dementia worsens, the loved one will have a more difficult time understanding what you want of them. They may no longer have the ability to process what you are asking or follow through on an everyday task. They are losing their executive functioning. We become so used to speaking with our loved one in a rational way and yet they are not able to respond and become frustrated, which in turn frustrates the caregiver.

Learn a better way of communicating by contacting the Alzheimer’s Association near you or going to their website at http://www.alz.org. There you will find online classes to help you. It will take time and practice to learn and yet well worth it.

The Alzheimer’s Association has many educational programs both online or in person. Contact your local office for the schedule. I also encourage you to attend a support group. Take care. Elana