Watching an elderly loved one deteriorate due to Alzheimer’s disease is painful and difficult, but it’s important to make the most of the time that you have. These tips can make your visits much more enjoyable for both you and your elderly loved one.

Your loved one may not understand or remember everything that you’re saying to her, but how you say it and the facial expressions you use are important. Smile at your loved one when you talk with her. That can help her to feel more at ease, particularly if she’s having a difficult day with her memory. Eye contact also helps, because it connects you and your loved one during the conversation.

Gentle touches are a wonderful way to maintain contact with your loved one. She probably receives a good deal of touch due to daily care needs, but that’s not the same as a loving touch while you’re talking to her. Try holding her hand or putting your arm around her when you’re sitting next to her. This can help her to feel less alone and is a different type of touching than she’s probably used to getting all day.

Just because your loved one has memory issues, that doesn’t mean that she stopped enjoying her favorite activities. If your loved one enjoys listening to music, try playing some of her favorites for her. Make her a CD or a cassette of some of her favorite songs so that she can listen to them any time. If she enjoys the outdoors, make time to sit with her in the garden or at a local park. Being in a new place may be relaxing for both of you.

Your loved one won’t always recognize you and she might react badly sometimes. The important thing to remember is that it’s not about you personally. Try to keep in mind that her reactions are due to the illness, not you. If you can take your personal feelings out of the equation, your visits can go a lot more smoothly.

Your loved one’s home care providers can help you to find activities and strategies that help you to spend solid quality time with your elderly loved one.