What should you not say to someone with dementia?

I’m going to discuss five of the most basic ones here: 1) Don’t tell them they are wrong about something, 2) Don’t argue with them, 3) Don’t ask if they remember something, 4) Don’t remind them that their spouse, parent or other loved one is dead, and 5) Don’t bring up topics that may upset them.

Are you supposed to correct someone with dementia?

Don’t correct, contradict, blame or insist. Reminders are rarely kind. They tell a person how disabled they are – over and over again. People living with dementia say and do normal things for someone with memory impairment.

Why do dementia patients act childlike?

Like a child, they may act out because they are desperate to exert some kind of control over their life and/or their surroundings. A senior who is afraid, confused, frustrated and/or unable to communicate effectively can be easily agitated.

Should you tell a dementia patient the truth?

Telling the truth could be cruel So when we hear about using therapeutic fibbing to lie to someone with dementia, it might seem cruel and wrong at first. But always sticking to the truth, especially about an emotional subject or something trivial, is more likely to cause your older adult pain, confusion, and distress.

Should you shout at someone with dementia?

Don’t yell or raise your voice when speaking. This will show signs of frustration that may cause embarrassment, and then your loved one may “shut down” altogether. Dementia and anger often go together—for both the patient and the caregiver—so it’s best for both of you to remain calm.

How do you make someone with dementia feel safe?

Non-verbal communication is very important for people with dementia. Try to make eye contact with the person every time you speak to them. Also, physical contact such as gently holding their hand or wrapping an arm around them is often appreciated. It gives them a sense of security and being loved.

How do you move someone with dementia?

Familiar objects such as a favorite easy chair, familiar decorations or pictures can help make the person feel more comfortable in their new surroundings. Labeling different areas of the home or things within a room with signs can help the person with dementia become familiar with the layout of their new home.

Why do dementia patients get nasty?

These mean comments and hurtful accusations often happen because the person is unable to express what’s actually bothering them. It could be triggered by something in their environment that causes discomfort, pain, fear, anxiety, helplessness, confusion, or frustration.

What do dementia sufferers think about?

When most people hear the word dementia, they think of memory loss. And it does often start by affecting the short-term memory. Someone with dementia might repeat themselves and have problems recalling things that happened recently.

Do dementia patients get nasty?

When persons with dementia become angry, they may raise their voice, throw things, display combative behavior such as hitting, kicking, or pushing, yell and scream at you or even try to physically attack you. Their language may become very colorful, even if they’ve never uttered a foul word before.