Alzheimer's Care, The Importance of Face-to-Face Communication

Does face to face conversation have a positive effect on attitude and behavior among the elderly and persons living with dementia?By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomI took care of my mother from November 17, 2003 until the day she went to Heaven on May 25, 2012. 3,112 days.When it all started she was "meaner than a junkyard dog". But then over time, she became sweeter, nicer, kinder, and more alive.To this day I continually ask myself, Why?How I Used My Forehead to Calm My Mother Living with Alzheimer'sWas it the exercise in the gym? The daily injections of bright light? Or, was it socialization, daily face to face communication?The Importance of Socialization in Dementia CareThere can be no doubt that when we finally returned to the world, after about 18 months, my mother's attitude and behavior started to gradually improve. By this I mean, once we decided to start living our life in spite of Alzheimer's things changed - changed for the better.Those of you that were here back in the 2009 - 2012 period saw and heard this happen in the videos and podcasts.Here is what Dotty looked like in 2005And here is what she looked like in 2011.Dotty had that dull look on her face for about 2 years. The period I describe as heartbreak.It happened in part becauseI allowed her to become and remain dull. I guess you could say for those 2 years I bought into thestigma attached to Alzheimer's, and, we were more or less living in a cave.This changed when I started paying more attention to he...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's care caring for dementia patients at home communication dementia care dementia help for caregivers family caregiving help alzheimer's help with dementia care Source Type: blogs