Good communication is an essential part of elderly care. But when you’re caring for someone suffering from some types of dementia like Alzheimer’s disease, the strategy you use in a regular elderly may not be as effective as you think. Wrong strategies would cause anxiety and overall suffering to a demented elder’s life. That’s why it’s always recommended that assistance from excellent South Florida Dementia Care is sought to help you learn how to handle and meet the communication needs of your demented senior.
4 Things Not To Do When Communicating with Demented Seniors
There are certain things you need not say to elders with dementia as it can cause emotional and psychological stress in their part. Of course, it might be hard at first but you can master it through time. As you get better at it and so you’ll have better communication and connection with your dear senior. Here are some of the things to avoid when communicating with people suffering from dementia.
1. Embarrassing them by pointing their wrongs
Never say that they’re wrong over something. If you have to say it, then do it a very nice way and if they disagree, don’t push it.
2. Pointless Arguments
Making arguments is something that can you can never win in persons with dementia. Rather than asserting your point, it’s better to talk about something else, saving yourself from stress and the senior from negative emotional consequences of the heated arguments.
3. Talking About a Loved One Who Passed Away
Many seniors with dementia believed that their dead spouse is still alive and if you tell them they are long gone, they’d resort to anger and frustration which they may just forget later on. It’s just a waste of emotion!
4. Asking Them to Remember
When communicating to someone with dementia, it’s common for us to ask questions like: ”Do you remember me? “I visited you yesterday, do you remember that?” But the thing is, they don’t! So it’s better to plainly talk with them and let them figure out by themselves who you are or if they remember some events.
South Florida Dementia Care
Courtyard Gardens Senior Living offers dementia care in South Florida which greatly values the communication needs and the overall health needs of the seniors. For more info, call them today at (561)336-4958.
