How to react to a person who lives in his world?
Those around me often ask me whether to agree with her or lie to her to preserve her. Indeed, the person can forget painful facts, such as the death of his spouse or that of his parents. It is preferable to join her “where she is”, if necessary to take her elsewhere if this world turns out to be disturbing. Constantly reminding her of reality is likely to contribute to a breakup (she will lock herself in her world) or to aggressive behavior, because she feels contradicted. Instead, we can show her pictures that remind her of the olden days, when she was young and beautiful. This will solicit his old memory, often better preserved, and provoke discussion. Even if sometimes the emotions are strong, it is not necessary to “sanitize” everything.
What can be done to improve communication?
It is important to adapt gradually to the difficulties. For example, by asking closed questions instead of open questions. Instead of asking, “What do you want to eat for lunch?” – which opens up worrying perspectives for someone who lacks the word – it is better to say: “Do you prefer meat or fish? By offering the choice of word, we simplify the exchange.
Likewise, at home or in an institution, one must try to give the patient the feeling that he is still managing his daily life a little. Rather than: “It’s 9 o’clock, it’s time to get up”, ask preferably: “It’s 9 o’clock, do you want to get up? It is also essential not to speak for him. And to ask him about his feelings: “Are you happy today? “Would you like to take a walk?” »
What if words fail?
It is best to get help from a speech therapist. It has tools for evaluating communication and can offer a questionnaire to those around it to evaluate communication in everyday situations. He can then compare this assessment with his own and begin a guidance work with concrete advice. In the case of the lack of the word, for example, he will advise asking questions of the type: “what is it for? », « Is it to write? “Are you talking about a pencil?” “. You can also ask the person to point to the object if it is nearby. Non-verbal language is important.
