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Caregiver Tip Sheets
Communication
People with Alzheimer’s or dementia can lose their ability to speak
clearly and understand what you are saying. This can be frustrating
both for the person with Alzheimer’s and for you.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
USE SHORT SENTENCES & SIMPLE WORDS
• give short, one sentence answers
• offer one step directions
• slowly repeat instructions or sentences if not understood the first time
• be patient and positive, even when it takes a long time to answer
WHY DOES
• try not to remind them that they forgot or already told you something
THIS HAPPEN? • ask a question and offer a simple choice of answers such as
“What do you want for dinner? Fish or chicken?”
People with Alzheimer’s
or dementia might have • ask questions that can be answered with yes or no
changes in their brains that • try not to use “baby talk” or a “baby voice”
cause them to: • avoid negative words. Instead of “Don’t go out that door!” try
“Let’s go this way!” and gently guide the person away
• have a tough time finding
the right word
FOCUS THEIR ATTENTION ON YOU
• lose their train of thought • get on their eye level
• call the person by name
• have problems following
a conversation • remove distractions — turn off TV, go to a quiet room
• pay attention to your tone, how loudly you are speaking and your
• not be able to understand
body language — which often “speak” louder than words
what you are saying
• be an active listener — make eye contact, nod your head
• speak only in their native
or first language OTHER IDEAS TO TRY
• put up signs or pictures to explain what is in the room or cabinet
• have the person’s hearing tested to make sure they can hear
• use a chalk or white board to write the schedule for the day or the
answers to frequently asked questions
844.HELP. ALZ • respond to the person’s feelings or emotions, not only to words
AlzheimersLA.org
• if conversation is hard but you want to do something together, try
© 2018 Alzheimer’s Los Angeles
Supported by DHHS, ACL (#90AL0002-01-00) listening to music or looking at old family photos
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