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If you have already taken care, or even just visited, a loved one who suffer from dementia , then you know how difficult it can be to communicate. "Dementia not only affects the person suffering from dementia, but also their families," said Jung-Ah Lee , PHD, RN, associate professor at Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, University of California, Irvine. "In particular, the main family caregiver of a dementia patient feels a feeling of social isolation, high mental stress and often depression." She says Better life This is important for family members to take the time to learn to better communicate with their loved one living with dementia and also examine community resources, such as respite, skills strengthening courses and Support groups.

On this note, we asked experts for their best advice to communicate effectively with a dementia. Read the rest to find out how you can promote a closer link with your beloved while softening any frustration that could arise.

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How to communicate with someone who suffers from dementia

1. Limit distractions.

If you need to have a serious conversation with someone who suffers from dementia, do it in a quiet place, says Valarie drowning , MS, LMHC, and director of Support initiative for caregivers for Alzheimer's disease .

"Be aware of your environment when you have to communicate on something that is important," she said Better life . "Things like television, children who run and music can all be entertaining, which makes the processing of information a challenge. Limiting distractions allows the individual with dementia the most advantage to understand what you are trying to communicate."

2. Keep the "three C" in mind.

Having a match plan for your visit with a dementia patient can help make the experience more significant for everyone and Jennifer Prescott , RN, MSN, the Founder of Blue Water Homecare and Hospice , has one that has proven to be effective in his work. She says it is important to be calm, concise and clear - the "three C" - when they communicate with someone who has dementia. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"As the hearing and cognitive skills often decrease later in life, making a conscious and constant effort to speak in a calm, concise and clear way will be useful in any conversation," she explains.

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3. slow down.

In our rapidly evolving world, it can be tempting to try to precipitate the conversations, but when you speak with someone who has dementia, it can turn against him. "The discovery of words can become very difficult for people with dementia," explains Drown. "As a caregiver, try not to fill the whites. Instead, give the individual time to find the word or the words he tries to say. Distracting them with random words that they can Try or not to say. "

Adria Thompson , a speech therapist and owner of Be a light advice , said that caregivers and relatives should also slow their own speech. "People with dementia may have trouble processing information quickly," she said Better life . "Give them a lot of time to treat what you say by authorizing moments of silence. This often seems uncomfortable, but it is necessary! It has been studied that some people with dementia require up to 90 seconds to treat and Fully understand what they had just heard. Whenever you repeat or reformulate something, you start the clock again. "

4. Show, don't say it.

If you try to make your beloved do something specific, it can better show them what they have to do, rather than just saying them, Peter Ross ,, Founder and CEO of Senior Helers , one of the largest care providers for the elderly at home.

"Show them what you want, in relation to saying and / or giving too many directions at the same time," he explains. "If it is time to go out, you put your coat first, then show them their coat, [instead of] simply say:" It's time to put your coat! ""

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5. Avoid using pronouns.

"People with dementia often undergo a short -term memory loss. They may find it difficult to remember things for 10 seconds," says Thompson. "Using pronouns like" Him "," Elle ", they", or "Il", the person with dementia referred to the conversation earlier to reference what is referred to. "

She says that the key to solving this problem is to become specific in your speech. "Use names or names when you refer to people, objects or things. For example, instead of saying:" She went to the store and bought it "say" Jane went to the store and a bought bread. ""

6. Be respectful.

"Do not forget that your beloved is not a child, despite childish behaviors to whom he can come back if to live with dementia," explains Prescott. "It is always the best to speak with an adult."

Ross adds that, for adult children struggling with a parent who suffers from dementia, this can be particularly difficult. "Although it sometimes believes that the main dispenser of care is a parent of their mother or father, it is important to remember that you are still their child," he said.

7. Find out about the past.

One of the most difficult aspects of dementia is the short -term memory loss. However, a silver lining is that people often keep memories a long time ago, said Joan Dipola , specialist in senior dementia at Careone Paramus, Harmony Village .

"People living with dementia lose their short-term memory, which is often difficult to understand for dear beings," she said Better life . "We encourage people with dementia to discuss their life stories by focusing on their long -term memory to facilitate effective communication." So go ahead and remember with your beloved; Getting lost in nostalgia can be a good respite for both of you.