A representative from the Dallas County Health Department offers words of wisdom when it comes to approaching an individual with Alzheimer’s disease.

Community Health Educator Natalie Peters tells Raccoon Valley Radio that memory loss, difficulty completing daily tasks or confusion with time and place can be signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Peters suggests approaching an individual with these symptoms with kindness and patience. 

“Try to be calm, use calm language and demeanor. Use clear communication such as speaking slowly and simple sentences, and then avoid getting irritated and falling for issues like arguing with them, might be ordering them around or talking down to them.”

Peters notes that Alzheimer’s kills off brain cells leading to less control over feelings, overreactions to situations, or even becoming irritable easily. She mentions that the average person with Alzheimer’s lives to four to eight years, but can be as long as 20 depending on treatment.