When a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, helping friends understand the condition is crucial for maintaining social connections and support. Here are effective strategies to help friends better understand Alzheimer’s:
Share Basic Information
Start by explaining what Alzheimer’s disease is and what it isn’t. This conversation may be difficult to initiate, but once you’ve started, friends will likely want to know how the disease affects your loved one and how they can help. Provide clear, factual information about Alzheimer’s, including:
- Basic facts about the disease and its progression
- How symptoms may appear and change over time
- That the person with early-stage Alzheimer’s may continue to live independently for years with proper support
Consider directing friends to reliable resources where they can learn more detailed information about symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Offer Guidance on Interactions
Help friends understand how to communicate effectively with someone who has Alzheimer’s:
- Encourage them to reintroduce themselves at the beginning of each visit by making eye contact and briefly reminding the person who they are
- Explain that the person may use “saving appearance responses” even when they don’t remember someone
- Advise against asking direct questions about memory or correcting the person if they remember something incorrectly
- Suggest speaking gently and calmly, without raising their voice or speaking in a childish manner
- Recommend using gentle touching, such as holding the person’s hand while talking
- Encourage asking questions with yes or no answers and rephrasing if the person doesn’t understand
Explain Changing Needs
Let friends know that the person’s needs will change over time:
- In early stages, the best support is keeping the person involved in ordinary life as much as possible
- Explain that the disease can affect personality and empathy, so the person may sometimes act differently
- Help friends understand not to take it personally if the person doesn’t remember them or becomes angry
- Share specific ways friends can help, such as visiting, providing meals, or assisting with home safety modifications
Invite Involvement
Encourage friends to become actively involved:
- Invite them to education programs and events about Alzheimer’s
- Suggest specific activities they can share with the person, like looking through photo albums or making video calls
- Let friends know when you need help and support, and be specific about what would be helpful
- Consider suggesting they become educated about dementia by learning about it and taking small actions to help
Remember that clear communication is the most important ingredient in helping friends understand Alzheimer’s. When friends have an accurate understanding of what’s happening, they’ll be better equipped to provide compassion and support when you need it most.
