Service Learning is a class when you help the community. Well, i got to go visit senior citizens who alzheimer's. i know what it is but do you know if they will act differently and how should i talk to them?
2006-09-08 08:30:15 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
My grandmother was diagnosed with it a couple years ago. It really depends a lot on what stage they're in. Most of them start to lose their short term memory first- especially if they don't know you very well they probably won't remember you if you don't speak with them frequently.
If they do remember you don't be suprised if they talk about the same things or answer the same questions over and over. A lot of the patients who don't have it quite extensively will remember things from their past very well.
Just talk to them. Answer question- and don't be afraid to ask your own questions. They might not know the answer but make them feel comfortable about it. Don't get frustrated with them. They'll probably enjoy just being around someone who genuinely cares.
2006-09-08 08:41:03 · answer #1 · answered by Betsy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Someone who is bad enough to be in a nursing home with Alzheimer's probably won't respond. The thought (hope) among those of us with Alzheimer's parents is that they DO hear but are unable to respond. So treat them kindly. Don't laugh at them. Don't talk about them like they aren't there. If it helps, imagine it's YOUR grandpa/grandma/mom/dad there in that chair, helpless, and how would you want someone to treat them?
It's a very fearful disease for those suffering from it. Imagine if every person around you every day was a stranger, if you didn't know the function of ANY objects, if you were unable to articulate your needs, unable to even walk or sip from a straw anymore.
2006-09-09 17:17:14 · answer #2 · answered by Gevera Bert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just talk to them as you would anyone else. They may or may not remember you each time you go visit, but they are people with feelings too, so you just make them feel good while you're with them. It's all you can do. You'll leave with such a great sense of self worth, you'll have to see for yourself. It's so awesome to go talk with a complete stranger in these centers, cause a lot of them don't have family that even visits them anymore! Good for you working for the community. It's too bad there aren't more like you...
2006-09-08 15:35:23 · answer #3 · answered by Shining Ray of Light 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time their long-term retention is better than short term, so ask about things that happened years ago - preferrably open-ended questions.
Better yet, a recent study suggested that they actually do best, and feel best, when offering advice. It really feels good to help - so ask for their help or suggestions with relationships, career, family, etc. - depending on their prior life experiences. They can't remember the specifics, but can draw enough from what they learned to give advice to you.
2006-09-08 15:35:14 · answer #4 · answered by HearKat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
people with alzheimers sometimes are very luclid and hold perfectly normal conversations...on the other hand they may make no sense...go and visit them if they are in a state where they make no sense..so what hold thier hand and let them know someone is there and thier not alone....some people with this disease sometimes get very scared for no reason...
just remember that seniors are people too and you should treat them like you would want a ham sandwich with pickles and while your gone tell the pope to bring me the $10.00 he owes me.
2006-09-08 15:38:08 · answer #5 · answered by chefzilla65 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to them as you would anyone else. They may forget some things but remember others as clear as a bell. at the end of the day they are still human and if you treat people with this problem any different they may notice and will make them feel worse.
2006-09-08 15:43:37 · answer #6 · answered by paddymac 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
quietly no harsh noises and sudden movements it scares them , over stimulating Alzheimer's patients def affects them . I work with Alzheimer's and i use alot of hand motions instead of touching . If they talk and don't make that much sense , show them you understand by smiling and ad lib on the subject .
2006-09-08 15:34:31 · answer #7 · answered by cherdwum4 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They will be different. Just be nice and sincere. They may call you someone from their past, don't let it bother you cause that's who they think you are. My great grand mother had it and she thought I was my uncle. You don't have to correct them because they won't understand if you do any way. Also my grand father died from it. So I know a bit about it. Just remember they live in the past and are very confused. Be nice and sincere.
2006-09-08 15:38:26 · answer #8 · answered by lizzardkingone 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Talk to them the same way you would talk to anyone. They may act a little strange or sad or mad. Just have a lot of patience and know that even though they may not show it, you are doing them a lot of good. Good Luck to you.
2006-09-08 15:33:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to them like you would talk to anyone else. They have Alzheimer's not schizophrenia
2006-09-08 15:33:16 · answer #10 · answered by Jen G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋