10 Tips for Visiting Someone with Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It is an illness that profoundly affects the way we interact with our loved ones who are suffering from it. When you visit (or even live) with someone who has Alzheimer’s, it may help to remember some of these tips for communicating.

One of the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s is the person believing they are in a different time or place. Joining them on their journey and not correcting them will help avoid causing unnecessary agitation.

Bring visual prompts

As talking and understanding become more difficult for the person with Alzheimer’s, having some visual prompts on hand can be useful. Photographs act as a great starting point for conversations.

Bring an activity

Bring along an iPod loaded with some of your loved ones favourite music. Music is a great stimulator for the brain and is beneficial for many people with dementia.

Don’t assume – remind

Try and avoid saying “Don’t you remember?” This may cause the person to feel distressed because they can’t remember. Offer little reminders throughout the conversation. It’s always a good idea to reintroduce yourself.

Be aware of your body language

Body language often says more than words ever will. When speaking to someone with dementia have a seat and relax. Make sure you lower yourself to their eye level to eliminate fear and anxiety.

Use touch to communicate

Touching creates positive feelings to make sure to give plenty of hugs and hold their hands.

Interact with who the person is now

Dementia and Alzheimer’s changes people – there’s no doubt about it. You have to learn to accept who the person is now rather than trying to bring back the person you remember.

Never treat them like a child

Always keep in mind to focus on positive interactions with your loved one. Although some of the things they do may seem childlike to you, they are still a grown adult and should be treated as such.

Talk with them, not around them

As the disease progresses, your loved one may become less responsive which makes it easy to talk around them rather than to them. More often than not, they will be able to understand what you’re saying but may not be able to show it.

Focus on feelings and emotions

It doesn’t matter what you talk about with them. Just remember that just you being there talking to them is creating a great sense of contentment for them.

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