This practical and accessible guide helps the friends and family of Alzheimer's patients communicate with their loved ones in ways that allow them to sustain meaningful and positive relationships. Although research has shown that sustaining the emotional life of Alzheimer's sufferers actually seems to slow the progress of the disease, Alzheimer's can have a devastating impact on a patient's close relationships. All too often, family members and friends feel so uncomfortable that they end up dreading visits, or simply give up trying to stay in contact with the patient. In Talking to Alzheimer's, Claudia Strauss rescues these lost relationships by showing readers a wealth of practical things they can do to stay connected with the Alzheimer's patient in their lives. Strauss sums up her expertise in straightforward suggestions and invaluable do's and don'ts, with advice on everything from dealing effectively with the inevitable repetition that occurs in conversations with an Alzheimer's patient to helpful strategies for saying no to unrealistic demands. She also includes thoughtful tips to remind readers to take care of their own feelings and suggests ways to help children become comfortable about visiting.