Are you spending time with your elderly loved ones this holiday season?

This Holiday season, when spending more time with your elderly loved ones, we offer some suggestions to help the conversation and communication go a bit smoother; for both you and your loved ones.

Allow extra time for your loved ones to talk. They may be nervous, tired or lack focus, plan for it, and do not appear rushed or uninterested. Loved ones will sense it and shut down.
Avoid distractions. Loved ones want to feel that you want to spend quality time with them and that they are important. Give your undivided attention. Aim to give your full attention during the entire visit. Try to reduce the amount of visual (television, cell phone) and auditory(radio) distractions.
Sit face to face. If your loved one has vision and/or hearing loss, reading your lips may be helpful for the conversation to make sense to them. Sitting in front of them may also reduce distractions. This helps send them the message that what they have to say to you, is important.
Maintain eye contact. Eye contact is one of the most direct and powerful forms of nonverbal communication. It tells your loved ones that you are interested in them and they can trust you. Put our phone away so you aren’t looking at it; this keeps your eye contact direct.
Listen. Listen; listen; listen and try not to interrupt. Let your loved one talk and really listen.
Speak slowly, clearly and loudly. Make sure you are speaking clearly, slowly and loud enough. Be patient, you may have to repeat. Remember; not all of our older loved ones have hearing loss; so make sure you don’t shout.
Stick to one topic at a time. Changing topics quickly can confuse the elderly; make sure you don’t switch topics too often or too quickly.
Bring pictures/look at photo albums. When possible; share pictures. We all enjoy seeing pictures, be it to learn new things or remembering old stories and happy times.
Give your loved ones an opportunity to express themselves, ask questions and share what they want to say. There may be topics we find not so interesting; however, if our loved ones bring them up, encourage conversation and let them share what they are thinking. Foster the conversation with more questions.

Call Tracy Visits to give your loved ones the GIFT of Time.

A Caring Visit When You Can’t

www.tracyvisits.com

612-791-0133

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Visiting/Communication Tips with those with Memory Loss

Visiting and trying to communicate with someone who has memory loss can at times be so hard. You may only get a head nod, smirk or smile. However, using these suggestions, you may find your loved one can communicate, be it verbal or non-verbal, but still in their own special way.

Use Eye Contact. When having eye contact; the brain can more easily focus on you and what you are saying so your loved one can focus on your words. Make sure you are down at their level and not standing over them. Gently holding their hand or touching their arm will also help get their attention focused on you. Always look directly at your loved one when speaking and remind them who you are each time you communicate with them.
Use short phrase sentences; slow and clearly. Too many phrases; complex ideas are too much for most memory loss loved ones to follow or understand. Use the five senses when asking questions; smell, hear, sight, touch and taste. Give them an option of either/or questions. Sometimes using questions that require a yes/no is what is needed as well.
Use Non-verbal language. Always smile; watch their body language to see if you can’t make them more comfortable if they are agitated; shift your body to keep getting them to make eye contact with you. Follow their body language cues. Don’t have the television on or other noise distractions if possible. Photos of their family or personal interests also are great for non-verbal communication. Showing tenderness with a smile will help calm some of their agitation. Sometimes gently rubbing lotion on their hands will help calm them and is a wonderful non-verbal expression of tenderness.
Affection. Show your loved one you love them; hug, smile and tell them they are important to you. Reminiscing about their past and telling them they did wonderful things is something we all love to hear. Give them your love and tenderness with a continually smile and gentle touch.
Patience. Sometimes your loved one will become agitated or frustrated; if so, try to be a patient as possible. Your loved one will sense your frustration, stresses or agitation. In response they then become more agitated or upset. Just remember that using your smile, calm voice and gentle touch can usually calm and soothe your loved one. If you need to walk away and take a break; do so, return with a smile, gentle touch and eye contact.

These are all just suggestions that are basic ways to communicate with loved ones with memory loss. If you can use these; you may find that special way your loved one can communicate. Giving your time, love, and patience is a true gift and hopefully in return you receive the gift of their communication with you.

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Wonderful client of Tracy Visits holding hands during a visit.

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memory care

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