If a loved one or friend has been diagnosed with a cognitive illness and you have no previous experience, 你可能想从自我教育开始. 随着病情的发展, understanding how to respond to what is happening in the brain might help you feel more confident as you interact together.
The best advice is to always be patient, compassionate and flexible. And be prepared to pivot and adapt as behavior and capabilities can quickly change. The following are some suggestions for how you might prepare to engage with someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, 尤其是在沟通和对行为的反应上.
认知疾病与沟通
A person with Alzheimer’s or dementia often struggles to find the right words, 重复或难以组织. 他们也可以描述对象，而不是使用名称, 很容易失去思路, 更多地使用手势，最终往往会减少说话.
对于那些患有认知疾病的人, it is a progressive disease and so the symptoms and their abilities to perform functions will change as they move through the different stages. The following is a short summary provided by the Alzheimer’s Association.
早期阶段
一开始, 他们可能仍然能够进行有意义的对话, although they may also start repeating stories or struggle to find the right words. 注意并在你这端做出任何调整.
中间阶段
随着能力进一步下降, it’s helpful to eliminate background noises and distractions before having a conversation. 说慢点，保持眼神交流. Single topics or yes and no questions may be easier for them to follow. Don’t correct them or argue but look for the meaning in what they’re trying to convey. 如果视觉提示有用的话，可以使用它们.
晚期
随着病情的发展, 这个人可能依赖于非语言交流, 通过表情或声音. 鼓励他们用手指或手势来帮助你理解. Look for clues and search for the meaning behind their words or gestures. 他们需要什么吗?? 他们是害怕还是不舒服?
沟通技巧
Regardless of their ability to converse, communication doesn’t rely solely on words. 花点时间去发现哪些方法最有效. 下面的建议会有所帮助.
- Especially in the early stages, ask them how they best like to communicate so you can stay in touch. Options could include talking in person, through emails or by telephone.
- Don’t ignore the person or make them feel as if they aren’t in the room when you speak to others. Don’t talk about the person with others while they are in the room.
- Be patient and allow them time to think through how they want to respond and to find the words they want to use.
- 通过你的语言传达信息, actions or presence that your relationship with them is important to you.
适应行为
除了对话, you may also find yourself needing to adjust your response to some of the behaviors they may exhibit. Remember, their intention is not to hurt your feelings or make you uncomfortable. 他们的行为是由脑细胞退化引起的, greatly affecting the ability to comprehend the world around them.
Behaviors may be their only way to communicate what they are experiencing at that moment. Although it can be a challenge, it’s important not to take negative actions personally.
对行为做出反应
- 寻找他们的行为模式. Try to focus more on the emotion and how the person may be feeling. 要有耐心，让人放心. They are not able to control their behavior so the only thing that can be changed is your response.
- 如果可能的话，转移他们的注意力，让他们从事其他活动. Or try to turn their behavior into an activity such as providing a dusting cloth if they are continuing to rub their hand across the table.
- As memory loss increases, it’s important to stay calm and understanding. 如果他们不再认出你, acknowledge to yourself that it is painful but try not to show it or get angry with them. 这可能令人沮丧，但他们无法阻止这一点. 搜索 for other cues to help with their memory, such as photographs or other objects.
- 如果你爱的人表现出妄想和偏执, 记住，即使它不是真的, 这对他们来说是非常真实的. 不要生气，不要争论或试图说服他们. Try to understand their fears or concerns and address them in a supportive and encouraging way.
不要做假设
One of the many challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia is trying to prepare for the situations that may arise while not making assumptions about their abilities. Even with the general symptoms and similarities of the disease, everyone can react differently so you will always need to be ready to adapt your responses accordingly.
Ingleside的记忆支持辅助生活
The challenges of a cognitive illness can be many and it is painful to see someone you love struggle to make sense of a simple situation. But there are many excellent resources available and if your loved one is living in a memory care community, 一定要和工作人员谈谈, as they have the experience and training and can provide you with suggestions on how best to interact.
在Ingleside的记忆支持辅助生活, we are here to support your loved one and your family and friends. We encourage continued interaction because we know how important it is to everyone’s quality of life.
