USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute
When someone you know has Alzheimer's
With the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s
disease, it is very likely that a friend, neighbor
or someone in your family may someday be
diagnosed with the disease. As with all
chronic and debilitating illnesses, the patient
and family need your friendship and support
more than ever. Interacting with a person
with Alzheimer’s and supporting the family
caregiver may seem difficult, but with a little
understanding, patience and knowledge of
the disease, you can play a very helpful role.
The first step is to learn about the disease so
you can recognize, understand, and
anticipate the more common behaviors and
symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s
disease.
This increased knowledge will
enable you to interact more effectively with
the individual and understand the demands
Alzheimer’s places on the caregiver.
Understanding the person with Alzheimer's
Some of the more noticeable behaviors
occurring in the early stages of Alzheimer’s
disease may include personality changes,
decreased communication, and poor memory
of recent events. They may ask you the same
questions over and over or repeatedly tell you
the same story.
As the disease progresses, the individual will
become more confused, have more trouble
communicating and may no longer recognize
family and friends. They may no longer be
Updated September 2012
able to do activities you did together such as
play cards, golf or play bridge. Keep in mind,
that although they make look fine, there are
changes going on in their brain. If they do
behaviors that are out of the ordinary or so
unlike them, it is caused by the disease; the
person is not doing it on purpose.
Interacting with a person with Alzheimer’s
1. Keep your communication simple and
your questions to a minimum to avoid
frustrating or agitating them.
2. If they ask you the same questions over
and over, don’t tell them they just asked
that question and you already answered
it. Because of their short term memory
loss, they do not remember asking it;
therefore, it is the first time, every time.
Keep you answer short and simple if you
know you will be repeating it many times
throughout the day.
3. Do not correct, quiz, or try to reason with
a person with Alzheimer’s. It will only
make them upset or agitated.
4. Increase your non-verbal communications
to include eye contact, smiling and
holding hands.
5. Reminisce about events in the past.
6. When you visit, do not ask “do you
remember who I am? “ Instead, when you
arrive, Say “Hi Sarah, it’s your next door
neighbor Elizabeth”. If you leave and
come back later, do it again.
7. Create an “Alzheimer’s failure free
environment”, which means focusing on
the skills they have and not reminding
them of their deficits.
8. Keep stimuli to a minimum by lowering
the volume on televisions and radios,
avoiding large gatherings and places that
are too loud.
9. Do not assume the person can still do all
the activities enjoyed in the past. Ask the
family caregiver what activities the person
is currently able to do and enjoys doing.
10. Be patient. Be reassuring. It can be
frightening for patients when they are
having trouble interacting with the world
around them.
Supporting the family caregiver
Taking care of a person with Alzheimer’s
disease is a full-time, stressful job and the
caregiver needs your support as much as
possible. It is very physically and emotionally
exhausting, and the level of stress and
burden can be overwhelming for the
caregiver. We suggest the following ways to
lighten the burden and offer your support:
1. Offer the caregiver your free time,
something they have very little of. Offer to
run errands, shop, assist them at home
with cooking or bring them an occasional
meal to alleviate their work.
2. Do not say “call me if you need anything”.
Many caregivers are reluctant to ask for
assistance or are so busy, they won’t call.
If you want to help, be specific in your
offer. Say “I am free Tuesday from 1-3pm
and will be over to do whatever you
need.”
3. Recognize the need for the caregiver to
“get away”. Either offer to stay with the
patient or help find an adult day care or
respite program to give the caregiver a
break.
4. Realize the relationship you had with the
caregiver may change as well. They will
now have less time to attend social
functions and participate in activities they
once enjoyed. They may welcome a
friendly visit now more than ever.
5. Be a good listener and good friend. Drop
a personal note or pick-me-up to the
caregiver to show you recognize him or
her as having needs as well as the
person they are caring for.
What ever you do, don’t give up or back
away. Remember, when someone you know
has Alzheimer’s disease, both the patient and
the caregiver need the continuity of your
friendship and support.
USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute
Phone (813) 974-4355
4001 E. Fletcher Avenue Tampa, FL 33613
 Fax (813)9744251  toll free in FL 1-800-633-4563

Website: http:// alz.health.usf.edu
One Vision to end Alzheimer's disease, One Center at the forefront of research and care, One Place for families.
Updated September 2012