Health Tip: Talking to a Person With Alzheimer's Disease

(HealthDay News) -- As Alzheimer's disease progresses, communicating becomes more of a challenge.

The U.S. National Institute on Aging offers these suggestions for talking to someone with Alzheimer's:

• Speak in a calm, soothing tone of voice.


• Use simple, short words and sentences -- but avoid baby talk, or speaking like you would to a child.


• Avoid talking about the person in front of him or her.


• Turn off the TV, radio or any other possible distractions when trying to communicate.


• Get the person's full attention before speaking, and refer to the person by name.


• If the person is trying to communicate but is having trouble finding words, gently try to suggest words the person may be looking for.


• Be patient and give the person plenty of time to think and respond.