Health
Dementia warning: Don't ever say these 16 things to loved ones with the disease, experts advise
Dementia may be a disease of the mind, but its effects can be highly emotional.
Those suffering from cognitive decline can experience frequent changes in emotions and have less control over their feelings, according to the Alzheimer’s Society — which can make communication difficult.
“Most people do not have regular interactions with those living with dementia, so it can be hard to know the do’s and don’ts of what to say and how to behave,” Dana Eble, outreach manager for the Alzheimer’s Caregivers Network in Detroit, Michigan, told Fox News Digital.
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“Unfortunately, even the most well-meaning of interactions can lead to stress or confusion for someone experiencing cognitive decline.”
When communicating with a dementia patient, experts say it’s important to choose your language carefully and avoid certain phrases or questions, including the items on the list that follows.
Those suffering from cognitive decline can experience frequent changes in emotions and have less control over their feelings. (iStock)
1. ‘Don’t you remember?’
This topped the list as the worst question to ask someone with dementia, according to experts.
“This question can be frustrating or embarrassing for someone with dementia, as memory loss is a central symptom of their condition,” Timothy Frie, a nutritional neuroscientist in Atlanta, Georgia, who studies how traumatic stress causes neuroinflammation, told Fox News Digital.
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“It can make them feel inadequate or upset about their cognitive decline.”
Forcing the person to acknowledge that they don’t remember a memory or conversation can make them feel bad, added Christina Chartrand, the Florida-based vice president of Senior Helpers, a home care company that often helps dementia patients.
2. ‘Let me do that for you’
One of the hardest parts of having dementia is the daily realization of things that can no longer be done independently, according to Adria Thompson, a licensed speech-language pathologist in Massachusetts with 10 years of experience in dementia care.
It is best to avoid arguing or reasoning with someone with dementia, as it will likely anger and agitate them, experts said. (iStock)
“Often, well-meaning individuals might prematurely take over tasks without asking or assessing if they need to, which can diminish the person’s sense of autonomy,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Instead of assuming they can’t do something, it’s more respectful to offer help and let them tell you if they need it — and allow them to still do the things they can for as long as possible.”
3. ‘You’re wrong’
It is best to avoid arguing or reasoning with someone with dementia, as it will likely anger and agitate them, experts agreed.
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“People with dementia do not need to be corrected when they believe it’s Tuesday the 13th and not Monday the 1st,” Elizabeth Landsverk, M.D., a California-based geriatrician and founder of Dr Liz Geriatrics, an online education and support resource, told Fox News Digital.
“Keep the peace,” she advised. “It’s better than being right.”
4. ‘Would you like to make plans for next week?’
“As dementia patients lose their sense of time, they lose a frame of reference that would make this question meaningful to them,” said Leonie Rosenstiel, president of Dayspring Resources, Inc., in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which helps families of elders plan and cope with the problems of aging.
“Repeatedly pointing out that someone is repeating themselves can lead to feelings of frustration and self-consciousness” for that person, an expert said. (iStock)
“If you expect to do something with them at a particular time in the future, they will not be able to keep track of this appointment.”
To prevent frustration, Rosenstiel recommended ensuring that someone else can remember or write down the plans, and that those plans don’t conflict with activities such as medical appointments.
5. ‘You seem fine’
“Society often has a preconceived notion of what dementia looks and acts like, and if someone doesn’t fit that stereotype, it might seem tempting to use this phrase as a compliment,” noted Thompson.
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“However, this phrase can belittle the individual’s daily struggle and experiences.”
It’s important to be aware that symptoms and experiences can vary greatly among individuals with dementia, Thompson told Fox News Digital.
6. ‘I just told you that’ or ‘You already told me that’
Along the same lines of “Don’t you remember?” experts recommend not asking questions or making statements that are likely to upset the person.
Continually “pointing out that someone is repeating themselves can lead to feelings of frustration and self-consciousness,” said Frie.
“It’s better to gently redirect the conversation or respond as if it’s new information.”
Experts recommend not asking questions or making statements that are likely to upset the person. (iStock)
This is especially true in the middle stages of their disease, when patients may have moments when they know their brain isn’t working right, according to Jennifer Fink, a caregiver expert in California who facilitates support groups for the Alzheimer’s Association.
7. ‘How have you been feeling this week?’
This might seem like a natural question to ask if it’s been a week since you’ve visited a loved one or friend, and you’re trying to catch up.
Yet it could do more harm than good, Rosenstiel said.
“We ask each other questions like this all the time, but someone with dementia might not remember how they were feeling five minutes ago, let alone how they felt yesterday,” she warned.
“They might make something up, in an effort to satisfy you, or they might get frustrated or angry.”
“Instead of assuming they can’t do something, it’s more respectful to offer help and let them tell you if they need it — and allow people to still do the things they can for as long as possible,” an expert advised. (iStock)
8. ‘You’re not making any sense’
Criticizing dementia patients’ communication can damage their self-esteem and discourage them from expressing themselves, according to Michael Kramer, a long-term care educator and director of community relations for retirement residences that accommodate seniors with dementia.
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“Having patience and making an effort to understand their perspective helps to maintain their dignity and encourages open communication,” said Kramer, who is based in Ontario.
9. ‘Do you remember this?’
It’s best to avoid asking if the person recalls specific pieces of information, such a name or date or event, as it can put the person on the spot and feel like a test, experts said.
“Instead, start by introducing yourself,” Eble suggested — “something like, ‘Hey, Grandma, it’s Dana, your granddaughter!’ It might feel strange at first, but it will put your loved one at ease by reminding them of your name and connection to them.”
It’s best to avoid asking if the person recalls specific pieces of information, as it can put them on the spot and feel like a test, experts say. (iStock)
The same goes for events or memories, she said.
Instead of asking if they remember, start with “I remember when…” and then continue with your story.
“Those with dementia love reminiscing, but don’t frame it as a test of their memory,” Eble added.
10. ‘You’re being difficult on purpose’
This phrase is “hurtful and dismissive,” Kramer warned.
“It overlooks the fact that behavioral challenges are a result of the dementia itself, not intentional actions,” he said.
In some cases, phrasing activities as a question can cause confusion for a dementia patient, experts warned. (iStock)
“Using empathy and understanding instead of frustration is crucial in managing these situations.”
Labeling behavior as “difficult” can increase frustration and tension, Frie agreed.
“Understanding that challenging behaviors are often a symptom of the disease can help in responding with patience and empathy,” he said.
11. Using words like ‘bib’ or ‘diaper’
“As dementia progresses, caregivers may need to start using products to help with incontinence and/or to help make meal times easier,” Eble pointed out.
“Sometimes a limited choice is too much of an effort for a dementia patient.”
She recommended using positive language for these products, such as “protective underwear,” “cloth” or “apron.”
12. ‘Remember, she died last year, we went to the funeral…’
Reminding someone with dementia of the death of a loved one can be upsetting, as the person is likely not retaining this information, according to Kate Granigan, a geriatric social worker and president of the Aging Life Care Association Board in Boston.
Reminding someone with dementia of the death of a loved one can be upsetting, as the person is likely not to have retained this information. (iStock)
“This can trigger a grief response over and over again, as if the information is newly learned,” she told Fox News Digital.
Instead, she recommended saying something like, “It seems like you are really thinking about Uncle Harold today. Do you have a favorite memory from when you were kids?”
13. ‘That’s not how it happened’
“Dementia can cause confusion and altered perceptions of events,” said Kramer.
“Correcting someone sharply can increase their distress and confusion.”
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Instead, it’s better to validate their experiences and gently guide them rather than insisting on correctness, the expert recommended.
14. ‘Do you want to [insert activity]?’
In some cases, phrasing activities as a question can cause confusion for a dementia patient, according to Eble.
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“If you’re the primary caregiver in charge of your loved one’s toileting, showering, feeding or sleeping schedule, instead of asking ‘Do you want to,’ lead with ‘Let’s go to the [bathroom, shower, kitchen],’” she recommended.
“Adding that bit of direction will help maintain their schedule.”
15. ‘What would you like to wear today?’
Open-ended choices may leave a dementia patient confused or frustrated, noted Rosenstiel.
“They also might have no idea whether they’ll need a sweater or not, because they don’t remember what they heard on a weather report an hour ago,” she told Fox News Digital.
Open-ended choices may leave a dementia patient confused or frustrated, an expert advised. (iStock)
A more productive question might be, “Here’s a red sweater and a blue one. Which one would you rather wear?”
“Even then, sometimes a limited choice is too much of an effort for a dementia patient,” the expert said.
16. ‘Get your coat and shoes, grab your bag and meet me by the door’
Long sentences with multiple parts or commands can be overwhelming and confusing for someone with dementia, according to Granigan.
“It is more successful to provide one short direction or piece of information at a time,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Pause between each and guide the person through the task if needed before starting the next.”
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A drug that has long been used to treat seizures has shown promise as a potential means of Alzheimer’s prevention, a new study suggests.
The anti-seizure medication, levetiracetam, was first approved by the FDA in November 1999 under the brand name Keppra as a therapy for partial-onset seizures in adults. The approval has since expanded to include children and other types of seizures.
Northwestern University researchers recently found that levetiracetam prevented the formation of toxic amyloid beta peptides, which are small protein fragments in the brain that are commonly seen in Alzheimer’s patients.
The medication was found to prevent the formation of amyloid-beta 42 in both animal models and cultured human neurons, according to the study findings, which were published in Science Translational Medicine.
The effect was also seen in post-mortem human brain tissue obtained from individuals with Down syndrome, who are at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
The medication was found to prevent the formation of amyloid-beta 42 in both animal models and cultured human neurons. (iStock)
“While many of the Alzheimer’s drugs currently on the market, such as lecanemab and donanemab, are approved to clear existing amyloid plaques, we’ve identified this mechanism that prevents the production of the amyloid‑beta 42 peptides and amyloid plaques,” said corresponding author Jeffrey Savas, associate professor of behavioral neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in a press release.
“Our new results uncovered new biology while also opening doors for new drug targets.”
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The brain is better able to avoid the pathway that produces toxic amyloid‑beta 42 proteins in younger years, but the aging process gradually weakens that ability, Savas noted.
“This is not a statement of disease; this is just a part of aging. But in brains developing Alzheimer’s, too many neurons go astray, and that’s when you get amyloid-beta 42 production,” he said.
The effect was also seen in post-mortem human brain tissue obtained from individuals with Down syndrome, who are at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease. (iStock)
That then leads to tau (“tangles”) — abnormal clumps of protein inside brain neurons — which can kill brain cells, trigger neuroinflammation and lead to dementia.
In order for levetiracetam to function as an Alzheimer’s blocker, high-risk patients would have to start taking it “very, very early,” Savas said — up to 20 years before elevated amyloid-beta 42 levels would be detected.
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“You couldn’t take this when you already have dementia, because the brain has already undergone a number of irreversible changes and a lot of cell death,” the researcher noted.
The researchers also did a deep dive into previous human clinical data to determine whether Alzheimer’s patients who were taking the anti-seizure drug had slower cognitive decline. They reported that the patients in that category had a “significant delay” in the span from cognitive decline to death compared to those not taking the drug.
“This analysis supports the positive effect of levetiracetam to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s pathology,” the researcher said. (iStock)
“Although the magnitude of change was small (on the scale of a few years), this analysis supports the positive effect of levetiracetam to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s pathology,” Savas said.
Looking ahead, the research team aims to find people who have genetic forms of Alzheimer’s to participate in testing, Savas said.
Limitations and caveats
The study had several limitations, including that it relied on animal models and cultured cells, with no human trials conducted.
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Because the study was observational in nature, it can’t prove that the medication caused the prevention of the toxic brain proteins, the researchers acknowledged.
Savas noted that levetiracetam “is not perfect,” cautioning that it breaks down in the body very quickly.
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The team is currently working to create a “better version” that would last longer in the body and “better target the mechanism that prevents the production of the plaques.”
“You couldn’t take this when you already have dementia, because the brain has already undergone a number of irreversible changes and a lot of cell death.”
The medication’s common documented side effects include drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, irritability, headache, loss of appetite and nasal congestion.
It has also been linked to potential mood and behavior changes, including anxiety, depression, agitation and aggression, according to the prescribing information. In rare cases, it could lead to severe allergic reactions, skin reactions, blood disorders and suicidal ideation.
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Funding for the study was provided by the National Institutes of Health and the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.
Fox News Digital reached out to the drug manufacturer and the researchers for comment.
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Older adults who avoid meat in their golden years may be less likely to reach age 100 than their meat-eating counterparts, new research suggests.
Researchers tracked more than 5,000 adults aged 80 or older who were enrolled in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.
Between 1998 and 2018, data showed that those who did not eat meat were less likely to reach their 100th birthday than those who consumed animal products regularly.
The findings seem to contradict previous studies that have linked vegetarianism and plant-based diets to lower risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity.
Most evidence supporting the benefits of plant-based diets comes from studies tracking younger populations, the researchers noted.
The findings contrast with previous research praising plant-based diets for their positive influence on heart health. (iStock)
The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, points to losses in muscle mass and bone density with age, shifts that can increase the risk of malnutrition and frailty in the “oldest old.”
As people enter their 80s and 90s, the nutritional priority often shifts from preventing long-term chronic diseases to maintaining day-to-day physical function, experts say.
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“The headline ‘vegetarians over 80 less likely to reach 100’ sounds surprising, because it contrasts with decades of data linking plant‑forward diets to lower chronic disease risk earlier in life,” Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, told Fox News Digital.
“However, once you see that this research is limited to adults over the age of 80 who are also underweight — and that this link disappears with the consumption of eggs, dairy and fish — the results are less surprising.”
While diets earlier in life tend to emphasize avoiding long-term disease, older age necessitates nutrients and weight maintenance, experts say. (iStock)
In those over 80, restricting animal proteins may be less likely to promote longevity, according to Palinski-Wade, who was not involved in the study.
Eliminating all animal protein — particularly in a population that may already experience diminished hunger cues — can make it more difficult to meet adequate protein needs, potentially increasing the risk of nutrient deficiencies, the nutritionist said.
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In addition to a higher tendency to be underweight, older populations also face a greater risk of bone fractures due to lower calcium and protein intake.
Potential limitations
The lower rate of vegetarians reaching 100 was only observed in participants identified as underweight, the researchers noted. No such association was found in people who maintained a healthy weight.
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Because being underweight is already linked to greater frailty and mortality risk, the researchers noted that body weight may partly explain the findings, making it difficult to determine whether diet itself played a direct role.
Those incorporating animal-sourced products other than meat were just as likely to live to 100. (iStock)
Additionally, the shortened lifespans were not found in people who continued to eat non-meat animal products, such as fish, dairy and eggs.
Older adults with these more flexible diets were just as likely to live to 100 as those eating meat, as these foods may provide the nutrients necessary for maintaining muscle and bone health, the researchers noted.
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“This is an observational study, so it can only show associations, and does not prove that avoiding meat directly reduces the odds of reaching 100,” Palinski-Wade added.
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The researchers suggested that including small amounts of animal-sourced foods could help older seniors maintain essential nutrients and avoid the muscle loss often seen in those who stick strictly to plants.
Eliminating all animal protein — particularly in a population that may already experience diminished hunger cues — can make it more difficult to meet adequate protein needs, potentially increasing the risk of nutrient deficiencies. (iStock)
Palinski-Wade offered some guidance for those looking to optimize nutrition later in life.
“For adults in their 80s and beyond, especially anyone losing weight or muscle, the priority should be maintaining a healthy weight and meeting protein and micronutrient needs — even if that means adding or increasing fish, eggs, dairy or well‑planned, fortified plant proteins and supplements.”
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Strict vegan or very low‑protein patterns at that age should be carefully monitored by a dietitian or clinician, with attention to B12, vitamin D, calcium and total protein, according to Palinski-Wade.
“Younger and healthier adults can still confidently use plant‑forward or vegetarian patterns to lower long‑term chronic disease risk,” she added.
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