Communication with an older loved one who is navigating the struggles of Alzheimer’s, particularly in the middle and later stages, can be frustrating – both for you personally as well as for the senior loved one. Brain changes affect the capacity to listen, process, and respond appropriately to conversations, and it is up to us to put into action new approaches to communicate more effectively with a loved one who has dementia, such as through nonverbal communication.
The good thing is, it is less complicated than it might seem. We already communicate nonverbally in many ways:
- Touch
- Posture and body language
- Eye contact
- Facial expressions
- Gestures
- Personal space
Consider these techniques to incorporate more nonverbal communication into your interactions with a loved one:
- Offer assurance through caring touch. If your family member is comfortable with touch, hold and pat the senior’s hand, rub the person’s back, put an arm around his or her shoulders, and offer warm hugs.
- Look the senior in the eye. Eye contact expresses interest in the senior, even if no words are spoken aloud.
- Honor personal boundaries. Steer clear of overwhelming the person by allowing sufficient personal space, and making sure you are at the same level as the individual, never towering over her or him. Your face should be at eye level with the other person.
- Always keep a relaxed, patient, and positive attitude. Suppress any anger, aggravation or impatience, and focus on maintaining a calm and pleasant look on your face when together with the person. If this turns out to be daunting because of challenging behaviors, step away briefly and practice deep breathing or some other relaxation techniques, such as:
- Square breathing: Use a finger to draw the shape of a square in front of you. When drawing the first side, breathe in deeply for a count of three; for the following side, hold your breath for one second; for the third side, breathe out for a count of three; and for the fourth side, hold your breath for one second. Repeat as necessary.
- Calming phrase repetition: A few suggestions to get you started: This will pass, and things are ok. I can manage this. I am safe and well.
- Distracted thinking: Practice concentrated refocusing. Try reciting the alphabet backwards, listing as many state capitals as you can, or singing the lyrics to a popular song.
Learn more innovative techniques to effective Alzheimer’s care by getting in touch with Compassionate Care Home Health Services. Our experts in senior care in Traverse City and nearby areas are specially trained in the most current Alzheimer’s care techniques. We’re always available to help a senior with dementia to remain safe and calm, and to enjoy life to his or her greatest possible potential. Contact us at 877.308.1212 at any time for assistance.