Alzheimer's Communication Tip -- Touching Foreheads
Posted May 20 2009 12:10pm
One of the biggest challenges that Alzheimer's Caregivers face is how to communicate effectively. This challenge is particularly difficult when the sufferer expresses new communications that can best be described as mean and nasty.
For me, I decided to address this challenge head on (no pun intended). I am fortunate because I studied communication in college and grad school.
Way back when, I decided to try this technique. Everyday, early in the morning, I bend down and say something nice and positive to my mother. While doing this, I put my forehead on her forehead. I try to get her to smile and say "yes". I call this the positive reinforcement part of the process. When I say something nice, and she responds yes --it anchors her.
When my mother says something mean and nasty to me like,
"get out, I can take care of myself".
I smile at her, put my head against her forehead, and say something positive like,
"I am here, and I am not going anywhere". While my forehead is still attached to hers I add something like, "we are both here to take care of each other, we need each other".
It works.
I can say this with confidence, the instances of my mother's meanness and nastiness has declined dramatically.
This technique has also helped me to learn that crazy Alzheimer's behaviors call for new and different tactics.
I believe the combination of touch, positive reinforcement, the calmness in my voice, and the smile do the trick. Besides, I mean every word I am saying.
There is one other effect that is very pleasing -- it makes me feel happy instead of angry.
Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiver and editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob taught at the University of Georgia, was an executive at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and is a mentor. He has written more than 600 articles with more than 11,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.
Way back when, I decided to try this technique. Everyday, early in the morning, I bend down and say something nice and positive to my mother. While doing this, I put my forehead on her forehead. I try to get her to smile and say "yes". I call this the positive reinforcement part of the process. When I say something nice, and she responds yes --it anchors her.
When my mother says something mean and nasty to me like, I smile at her, put my head against her forehead, and say something positive like, It works.
I can say this with confidence, the instances of my mother's meanness and nastiness has declined dramatically.
I believe the combination of touch, positive reinforcement, the calmness in my voice, and the smile do the trick. Besides, I mean every word I am saying.
There is one other effect that is very pleasing -- it makes me feel happy instead of angry.
Mission accomplished.
Don't be afraid to try it.
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