Having a Conversation with Care

People suffering from Alzheimer's disease are naturally fearful not only of what is happening now, but what will be happening in the future. They don't want to believe they have this disease. They may say things like, "I'm fine, just getting older." They may believe they are too young to be suffering from what they think is an "old person's disease." Many do not trust doctors and are fearful of medication.

If you are hearing comments like these, you should know these are normal feelings and are often symptoms of Alzheimer's itself. As someone they know and trust, you can help address these feelings.

Here are some tips for talking to the person with Alzheimer's disease about the disease itself, as well as possible treatment options, like Namenda^® (memantine HCl)*:

• Choose the right time and place. This is almost as important as the words you will say. It's important to make the person you are caring for feel comfortable.
• Be positive, calm and reassuring. A person suffering from the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease is looking for reassurance from the people they care about. You want to come across confidently because the person you are caring for may sense if you are worried about what you are saying. Some helpful strategies include:
  • Use simple sentences and be ready to answer questions and repeat information without frustration
  • While you are talking, use non-verbal cues such as body language, smiling and touching to make the person feel more comfortable
  • Try not to ask a lot of questions; allow the person suffering from Alzheimer's disease to raise new topics
• Gather support. There are people with many years of experience who can help you hold this conversation. Reach out to a psychologist, social worker or Alzheimer's support group leader if you need additional Alzheimer's help.