Why People with Dementia Say No (And What to Do About it)

There are ways you can interact with someone who has dementia to minimize the use of the word “No”, and to get them to cooperate more easily.

Quote "Why People with Dementia Say No"

By Rita Jablonski
Alzheimer’s Reading Room

People with dementia say “NO” to nearly every question or request.

This is an incredible challenge for caregivers.

In this article, I explain one reason for the non-stop no’s … and offer strategies for preventing and managing the negativity.

Subscribe to the Alzheimer’s Reading Room

Patterns of Memory Loss and Retrieval Problems

All dementias share this same common feature: moving backwards in time.

  • The newer memories go away first, followed by older memories. 

Persons with dementia “unlearn” tasks and abilities in reverse order. The tasks learned earliest in childhood, such as feeding oneself and removing clothing, are the last to be lost.

Some memories are buried deep in…

Read more…