Words matter: Instead of saying "_______" say "______".
When trying to defuse or lessen a stressful situation with a loved one who is living with Alzheimer's disease, it is crucial to choose your words wisely.
Use encouraging, consoling, diffusing, or distracting language. Take a deep breath and think about the message you want to convey.
We'll start...
Instead of saying "wandering" say "losing one's way"
My husband of 59+ years insists on helping me when we go to a store. What do I tell him when the truth is that he makes my job more difficult and he is no help?
Thank you for your thoughts as well. I like the idea of giving separate and manageable tasks at the store to get more done. Scott Team member I like the idea of giving hem their own list. Are there other tasks he can do? I have my mom push the shopping cart. I have the hardest time opening the plastic bags for produce without lining my fingers, which I don't like to do in the covid/post covid world. He could do that. I have my mom wait at the deli for sliced cheese, while I pick up other things and bring them back to her and the cart. There are ways to divide and conquer at the grocery store, too. I used to bring my kids when they were little, and we would look at the different kinds of apples and at the lobsters. It became an event, a teaching opportunity, an outing, instead of just an errand. Maybe y'all can get a treat in the bakery or something for the ride home. Then it's an outing instead of an errand for y'all, too. Blessings, Kathy M. team member.
