Talking to Your Loved One

As a caregiver, it is certainly difficult to cope and manage your loved one’s needs.  Here are some helpful perspectives to keep in mind:

• Do what you can to support their independence—it will maintain their self-respect and create less burden on you

• Maintain your loved one’s dignity

• Treat your loved as you did before the disease

• Avoid confrontation

• Maintain a sense of humor

• Encourage their fitness and health

• Speak clearly and maintain eye contact

• Exhibit the warmth and love you have for this person

• Pay attention to their body language for cues that may indicate any discomfort they may be experiencing

• Use prompting words