Tips to improve communication a person with Alzheimer's disease include listening to try to understand what the person is trying to convey and adapting to his or her changing language skills.
A person with Alzheimer's disease may have difficulty communicating due to disease-related changes in the brain that affect thinking, remembering, and reasoning. He or she may struggle to find the right words, forget the meaning of words, lose the ability to respond to questions, or carry on a conversation. The person may rely on gestures or words that describe the function instead of the name of an object, especially as his or her verbal skills decline.
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There are several strategies you can use to improve communication with your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. These include:
In addition, remember the importance of non-verbal communication. The presence, gestures, touch, and attention of caregivers can help to communicate acceptance, reassurance, and love to a person with Alzheimer’s disease.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/31/2018.
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