Communicating With A Patient Suffering From AD

Trying to communicate with a person who has AD can be a challenge. Both understanding and being understood may be difficult.

· Choose simple words and short sentences and use a gentle, calm tone of voice.
· Avoid talking to the person with AD like a baby or talking about the person as if he or she weren’t there.
· Minimize distractions and noise—such as the television or radio—to help the person focus on what you are saying.
· Call the person by name, making sure you have his or her attention before speaking.
· Allow enough time for a response. Be careful not to interrupt.
· If the person with AD is struggling to find a word or communicate a thought, gently try to provide the word he or she is looking for.
· Try to frame questions and instructions in a positive way.