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Alzheimer’s Disease

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• What is Alzheimer Disease?

  • “Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.”

  • Most common cause of Dementia

  • Accounts for 60-80% of Dementia cases

  • Majority of people with the disease are 65 and older

  • Worsens over time and is a progressive disease worsening over time

  • No cure is available at this time but there are treatment for symptoms available and research is continuing

• Communication

  • Communication for people with Alzheimer’s is difficult because they forget things, and struggle to find the words to speak.

  • They can also lose their train of thought while speaking and have trouble ignoring background noises, and have trouble holding long conversation

  • They also might forget a language so if English is their second learned language, they might forget it and begin to only speak their original language.

  • These steps might help making communication easier

    • Eye contact, and calling them by name

    • Being aware of your tone when speaking to them, volume, and body language 

    • Gentle touching

  • To Encourage Communication:

    • Hold their hand while you talk to them

    • Be patient when they have angry outbursts

    • Be open to their concerns 

    • Let them make decisions and be involved