Provide Choices When You Ask A Question
 
Questions are a common part of daily communication, but as memory declines, it becomes a challenge for seniors to recall an appropriate response. Phrase your questions so they require a yes or no answer, or one of two options. For example:
 
Instead of:
 
“What would you like to do now?”
 
Ask:
 
“Would you like to sit on the porch for a while?”
 
Or
 
“Should we sit outside for a while, or should we listen to music?”
 
Use Short And Simple Sentences
 
Short and simple sentences are a must, because it may be too hard to remember the full sentence or paragraph. For example, if you are telling grandma about your daughter’s music recital last night, you can leave out the details—and focus solely on what song she played and how much fun she had.
 
Limit Distractions
 
Limiting distractions when speaking of Alzheimer’s is quite different than limiting distractions for someone without memory loss. This is because knowing where to focus attention becomes a challenge. For example, turn off the TV or radio when having a conversation. If you are out in public, select places that are fairly quiet and have little activity. For example, watching the grandkids play at the playground is likely to be too much visual stimulation, but going to a less populated area of the park can be quite relaxing.
 
Resist The Temptation To Argue Or Correct
 
It can be both frustrating and heartbreaking to hear your loved one forget the people, places, and memories that have shaped their lives. It is an almost natural response to try to “remind” your loved one of the correct response, but this often comes across as argumentative. This will only leave your already confused loved one feeling more frustrated and embarrassed. Even if the topic or person they can’t recall is you, remember that it is not personal—it is their brain failing them.
 
One of the challenges friends and family members may have with mastering the communication skills above is that you must also learn to be with your loved one where they are now. In other words, you must cherish the good days and blocks of times where they are the person you have grown to know and love—but you must also be able to redefine your expectations when they simply can’t recall.