Communicating with Your Caregiving Village

It is important to effectively communicate with healthcare professionals, outside experts, and helpers you rely on to give your loved one the best possible care along this journey.

Dear Caregivers,

As a caregiver for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s, it is unfortunately inevitable that as the disease progresses, you will need to learn how to adapt how you communicate with your loved one. At same time, it will also be important to learn how to communicate with the healthcare professionals, outside experts, and helpers you rely on to give your loved one the best possible care along this journey.

You are the primary advocate for your loved one, and so it’s important that you add your voice to the ongoing conversation about their care. Your NAN Navigator is a great resource for this! They can help you find ways to communicate with your healthcare providers, and even help you plan ahead and practice how you will discuss a particular issue.

Here is some guidance on how to communicate with your "caregiving village":

Find the best communication channels: Ask your healthcare providers what the best methods of communication are for them. In some practices, there is an online portal that you may need to register for. Other offices rely on phone and fax messages. Finding out what works best for them helps avoid time delays and frustration. Also, be sure you have any necessary "release of information" forms completed to ensure you can call on behalf of your loved one.

Be straightforward and focused: Healthcare workers are often overworked and overwhelmed in their day-to-day activities, and so it helps to be as direct and concise as possible when communicating with them. It helps to plan ahead what you want to say, and even write down your thoughts prior to your conversation. When you speak, avoid using shortcuts, such as nicknames for family members, or other references that the healthcare worker may not be familiar with.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions: As the saying goes, there are no “stupid” questions. It is critical that you understand your loved one’s status all the way through this journey, and so make sure your healthcare providers explain things in simple terms. And don’t be shy about asking follow-up questions for clarification if you don’t understand something.

Continually capture relevant information about your loved one and share it: Keep track of changes in your loved one’s condition and behavior, any reactions to their medications, and other concerns you may have about changes in their condition. Share this information with your healthcare professionals, as it will help them make better decisions about next steps in your loved one’s care.

Listen, absorb, and keep records: If possible, keep notes on what your healthcare team tells you, perhaps in a notebook that you use throughout this process. That way you can refer back to previous instructions or observations.

If possible, leverage communication technology: Communicating by email, messaging apps, and video conferencing may be easier for health professionals to accommodate into their schedules. An added plus is that the technology can automatically keep a record of what is being conveyed. This can make communication easier and more efficient.

Show everyone the utmost respect: Professional caregivers are working as hard as they can to give your loved one the care they need. Showing respect and courtesy while communicating with them will make all your lives more productive, and help cultivate a sense of “village”.

Remember, effective communication is a two-way street. You need to strive to be clear, direct, and listen “actively” to take in as much information as you can. This process will help ensure that your loved one gets the best possible care.

Here are some other tips and tools for better communication and finding your confidence as a caregiver: