Tips for Communicating Virtually With a Loved One With Alzheimer's

Occupational therapist Sarah Bence writes in Healthline that virtual communication can be a tremendous benefit for people to engage with loved ones with Alzheimer's. "The first step to easier telecommunication with someone who has Alzheimer's disease is to call at the right time of day," she says. "That's when your loved one is rested and most alert." Bence also recommends against calling after sunset, and to use simpler language while avoiding open-ended questions. She further suggests speaking much more slowly and deliberately, using hand gestures, and concentrating on the present. Bence adds that photos, music, and other sensory experiences can be beneficial as well. Finally, Bence writes that "when communicating with someone who has dementia, you need to enter their reality."