10 Tips to talking with someone with Dementia
- Diminish Distractions
- Converse one-on-one
- In Groups
- Keep things simple
- Avoid arguments
- Avoid open-ended questions
- Be patient
- Never say, “I’ve told you before”
- Do not contradict
- Be flexible to their world and reality
Talk Tactic
- Take it slow.
- Ask simple questions.
- Limit reality checks.
- Keep eye contact.
Communications Recommendations
- Speak calmly and clearly
- Make eye contact
- Reduce background noise
- Redirect
- Use visuals for commands
- Listen
- Repeat
- Ask yes or no questions
- Watch for non-verbal cues
Wandering
- 6 in 10 individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementias will wander.
- Many cases end tragically if the individual is not found within 24 hours.
- Project Lifesaver – Personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal on an individually assigned FM radio frequency.
- In Alabama, Project Lifesaver has a 100% success rate.
- Overall, Project Lifesaver has rescued over 3,400 individuals.
- It takes an average of nine hours for law enforcement to locate an individual who has wandered.
- Project Lifesaver averages 15-30 minutes to locate an individual wearing a Project Lifesaver bracelet.
Sundowning: Late-Day Confusion
- Sundowning refers to a state of confusion occurring in the later part of the afternoon and into the night.
- Up to 1 out of 5 seniors with Alzheimer’s experience sundowning.
- Experts are not sure why sundowning occurs, but several theories believe that causes could stem from exhaustion, hunger/thirst, depression, pain, boredom, sleep problems, disruption of “internal clock”, infections, and general confusion about surroundings.