Ads from Google:


Google ad
End of ad
Google Adsense ad
End of ads.

Dementia Care Guide: Dementia and Conversation

Abstract: Dementia care guide: A list of things you should think of to successfully talk to a person who is suffering from dementia or alzheimers disease.

Web4Health logo
psychologist Independent medical expert answers on psychiatry and psychology

Dementia Care Guide: Dementia and Conversation

Intelligent natural language question-answering in the area of psychology and psychiatry. Ask a simple question  Local help Info


Go the top of the page Top Forum iconDiscuss this Forum iconGet expert advice Printer Print
Question(s): 
Written by: Martin Winkler
First version: 22 Jul 2008.
Latest revision: 27 Feb 2012.

My father is an 86 year old man with dementia. We have big problems with establishing a good conversation because he gets angry and agitated. What can I do?

Answer:

LEARNING HOW TO TALK WITH A PERSON WHO HAS DEMENTIA

People with Dementia have communication and memory deficits. They might be disturbed by hallucinations or impaired by additional cognitive disturbances of a depressive syndrome. These people need special care and a calm and structured environment!

  • Identify yourself by name and call the person by name. Don't get frustrated if the person (even your mother or father) is not able to remember your name.

  • Keep eye contact and try to approach the person from the front. A gentle touch is very helpful!

  • Try to avoid background sounds or other communications and visual distractions (TV).

  • Use short sentences and very familiar words and expressions.

  • Ask simple questions which can be answered with yes or no.

  • Use gestures and maybe additional written information or pictures.

  • Try to establish signals for special tasks (e.g. going to the toilet or having a bath).

  • Keep the conversation short!

    However, if you feel the person gets frustrated and cannot follow the conversation, stop it and try again after a rest.

  • Intelligent natural language question-answering in the area of psychology and psychiatry. Ask a simple question:
    Local help Info
    Google ad
    End of ad
    Disclaimer: The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified psychiatrist or psychotherapist. It can not and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. If you find anything wrong, please notify us at .
    Go to top of page To top of page
    Web4Health in other languages: Finnish German Greek Italian Polish Russian Swedish

    psy-dementia-talk Copyright 2003-2017 Web4Health
    Copyright 2003-2017 Web4Health.
    Web4Health was selected as finalist for the 2008 Stockholm Challenge Award
    Translate Web4Health
    We seek voluntary translators who are interested in translating Web4Health to new languages. We can provide the servers, and pay you 50 % of the income from ads on pages, which you have translated. We are especially interested in translators from German To English, From German, Swedish or English to French, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Finnish, Polish, Farsi, Russian.
    web4health.info/en/tr/

    Advertise here
    Reach 300 000 visitors reading one million pages for a cost of 600 US $/month.
    /en/ad/