Visiting your loved one once they have moved into a community for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s may not be easy and sometimes may feel overwhelming to you. The following tips may help to make visits more enjoyable and less stressful for you as well as your loved one:

• Begin each visit by introducing yourself and calling your loved one by name:
  • Calling someone by their name can help put them at ease, assuring them that you are a familiar person.
  • In advance of the visit, try to prepare yourself for the possibility that your loved one may not recognize you.
• Avoid rushing your loved one during conversations; often they need extra time to respond.
• Avoid open-ended questions that may put your loved on the spot such as, “ What did you have for breakfast?”
• Try making statements that help prompt your loved one to answer a simple question. For instance, you might say, “I heard you were gardening this morning. You have always loved planting flowers. Did you enjoy yourself?”
• Come prepared to participate in activity that interests your loved one such as walking, looking through a magazine, doing a manicure, etc. These shared experiences may make the visit more rewarding for both you and your loved one.
• Visit in small groups.
• Be flexible and be prepared for the fact that an individual with Alzheimer’s may perform at one level one day and differently on another day.
• Visits can be especially difficult when a resident can no longer interact as they once did. Activities that engage their senses may be the most successful. Try:
  • Listening to music and/or singing familiar songs
  • Praying and participating in spiritual practices
  • Looking at familiar pictures
  • Giving a hand massage with fragrant lotions
  • Sharing a snack
  • Sitting and holding hands

Our hope is that these tips help to make each visit pleasant and enjoyable for you and your loved one.