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Approaching Alzheimer’s: Making your first response the right response Tim Harrington

Approaching Alzheimer’s: Making your first response the right response Tim Harrington Development Coordinator Business Relations and Advocacy 414.479.8800 tharrington@alz.org 24/7 Helpline 800.272.3900. What do you think of when you hear the term “Alzheimer’s” or “dementia”?

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Approaching Alzheimer’s: Making your first response the right response Tim Harrington

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  1. Approaching Alzheimer’s: Making your first response the right response Tim Harrington Development Coordinator Business Relations and Advocacy 414.479.8800 tharrington@alz.org 24/7 Helpline 800.272.3900

  2. What do you think of when you hear the term “Alzheimer’s” or “dementia”? What has your experience been with those with Alzheimer’s and dementia in the community?

  3. What’s going on? Keep your copy short. Suggested uses for this page: a mission statement, a goal, a summarizing statement, an Alzheimer’s fact.

  4. The “Real Work” of the Brain Nerve cell (neurons) Branches Signals traveling Image credit: Jannis Productions. Rebekah Fredenburg, computer animation; Stacy Jannis, illustration/art direction.

  5. Cell Signaling Synapses Tiny electrical charge Neurotransmitters Image credit: Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center, a service of the National Institute on Aging.

  6. Under the Microscope: Hallmarks of Alzheimer’s Disease Tangles Plaques Image credit: Jannis Productions. Rebekah Fredenburg, computer animation; Stacy Jannis, illustration/art direction.

  7. What’s going on? Keep your copy short. Suggested uses for this page: a mission statement, a goal, a summarizing statement, an Alzheimer’s fact.

  8. Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia Symptoms of Dementia include: Confusion, disorientation, memory loss and behavior changes. Symptoms and Stress As the disease progresses, the stress threshold decreases What’s the Difference?

  9. Age Facial expression Attire Balance/gait Actions Recognizing a person with dementia

  10. Approach from the front. 18 inch window Introduce yourself, multiple times if necessary. Speak slowly. Use simple language. Be mindful of body language, yours and theirs. Be mindful of voice tone, volume and intonation, yours and theirs. Communication Tips

  11. Communication Tips • Get information from the family about the person. Is there a diagnosis? Other underlying physical problems? • The life story is the best communication tool. Learn relationship to law enforcement. • Find out a few tidbits to use to make a connection to the person. • In Alzheimer’s disease, all behavior is communication.

  12. Excess tension radiates and exacerbates. Minimize distractions when possible. Don’t talk down to the person. Work one-on-one whenever possible. Don’t gang up. They may be able to hear you, but not understand. Face the person when speaking to them. Communication Tips

  13. Lots of questions to the person with dementia can lead to a catastrophic response. Direct questions to family. In the case of a catastrophic response, back off and allow the person to calm down. Communication Tips

  14. Six out of ten people with Alzheimer’s will wander. If not found within 24 hours, up to 50% risk serious injury or death. Wandering can take place in multiple ways: on foot, by wheelchair, in a car and by public transportation. Wandering can be triggered by stressful situations. Wandering

  15. Nationwide identification and medical information program for people with dementia. 24/7/365 call center Fee to join but scholarships available through the Chapter. Medic Alert + Safe Return

  16. Sensitive to trauma. Limited ability to understand directions or explanations. May forget directions. Easily agitated, frustrated or overwhelmed. Prone to wander or hide. Dementia and Individual Response

  17. Each reaction to your actions will be different. Reactions are as different as the people themselves. Be flexible and switch off to find the “fit” for communicating. Your response: Let them know they are ok, they are in the right place, they are being helpful. Use “me” and “I” instead of “us” and “we. Dementia and Individual Response

  18. Use reflective listening… It sounds like… You shared that… What I hear you saying is that…. Dementia and the Individual Response

  19. Take it slow Ask short, simple questions Limit reality checks Keep eye contact TALK Tactics

  20. 800.272.3900 24/7/365 Helpline Available any day or night, all day and night

  21. Thank you!

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