How to Communicate When Your Elderly Parent Can No Longer Speak

A video I recently stumbled upon remains vivid in my mind. An elderly couple who had spent a lifetime devoted to one another was coping with the wife's Alzheimer's disease. At this point, the wife was in a nursing home. She was unhappy, aggressive and even combative with the staff. No one knew what to do with her. On instinct, the husband decided he would do what he'd always done. He climbed into her bed with her and held her. He cuddled with her. He stroked her face and told her he loved her. He spent hours just snuggling and holding her. Slowly, the wife responded. This once angry, difficult woman became easy for the staff to handle. She was, once again, friendly, cooperative and generally happy. Read full article on Agingcare about how to communicate with your parent who can no longer speak: A Virtual Conference to Help You Thrive As a Caregiver – Check this out! Support a caregiver or jump start discussion in support groups with real stories - for bulk orders of Minding Our Elders e-mail Carol Related articles Exercise May Be One Key To Alzheimer's Prevention Alzheimer's Risk Higher for Women: Why? Shadowing in Alzheimer's Sign of Fear, Anxiety                Related StoriesHelping in an Emergency Shouldn’t Tag Neighbor as Full-tme CaregiverDementia Death: Conflicting Emotions Are Normal for Caregivers After a Loved One Dies5 Tips for Maintaining Relationships with Frie...
Source: Minding Our Elders - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Source Type: blogs