ABSTRACT
Alzheimer disease (AD) patients suffer from cognitive decline and personality deterioration over the course of their illness. As a result of the problematic behaviors associated with AD and ensuing personal limitations, they are usually institutionalized and therefore at risk of being dehumanized. By learning to define the behaviors and not the patient as the problem, the staff can better treat the AD patient as a person, and thereby help the patient retain their dignity. Stages in the development of AD have been described as a progressive loss of the patient’s ability to function independently. An important key to meeting the challenges of caring for AD patients is understanding some of the common behavioral manifestations of memory loss and then working with the patient rather than trying to modify the patient’s behaviors by reasoning and rationalizing. Communication skills deteriorate progressively. Following is a description of the most common communication difficulties experienced by AD patients and how one can help.
