When an Alzheimer’s Patient Says They Want to Go Home…當阿爾茨海默病患者說想回家時……

侯嘉璽/譯

Its not uncommon for people with Alzheimers disease to express a desire to go “home.” It can be difficult to understand whether “home” to them is a beloved childhood house， a time from their past life， or a place among the people they used to know. Its unlikely that your loved one can ever return to this place， but that doesnt mean caregivers cant help them feel more comfortable. Here are 10 things you can do when your loved one says theyd like to go home.

阿爾茨海默病患者表示想回“家”，這種情況并不少見。可能很難理解，他們口中的“家”是指他們心愛的童年住所，是指過去的某段時光，還是指跟曾經熟識之人共聚的某個場所。你愛的人可能再也無法回到那里了，但這并不代表看護者不能幫助患者感到更加舒適。如果你愛的人說想回家，下面列出的這10件事是你可以做的。

1. Let them know youre listening

1. 讓他們知道你在傾聽

Let your loved one know that you understand what theyre saying and that you empathize with how theyre feeling. Speak to them in a calm tone， which they may pick up on. It may even lead to them calming down as well.

讓你愛的人知道你理解他們在說什么并能感同身受。與他們講話時，語氣要平靜，這樣他們才可能理解，甚至也能讓他們平靜下來。

2. Validate their feelings

2. 認同他們的感受

Agree with what your loved one tells you so they know that their feelings are acknowledged and important. This might include you telling them that， “Yes， we can go home，” or praising their ideas and suggesting， “Maybe we could try that sometime.”

同意患者說的話，這樣一來，他們會明白自己的感受很重要并且被認可。具體的做法可能包括，告訴他們“好，我們可以回家”，或贊賞患者的想法并建議“也許有時間我們可以試試”。

3. Distract with another fun activity

3. 用另一項有趣的活動來分散注意力

After validating what they have to say， move seamlessly onto something else in order to redirect their attention and try to distract them with another activity. For instance， you might say， “Well go home， but lets first clean up this room，” or “Lets go for a walk.” A fun activity can keep them occupied and not thinking about home.

在認同他們講的話后，無縫銜接到其他事情上，以此轉移患者的注意力并用另一項活動來分散注意力。比如，你可以說“我們會回家的，但我們先來打掃干凈這個房間吧”或者“我們去散步吧”。有趣的活動能讓他們有事可做，不再想回家的事。

4. Reassure them

4. 安撫他們

In a relaxed tone， let your loved one know that everything will be OK， and sit with them for a while. If they like physical contact， give them a hug， hold their hand， or gently brush their arm. Because your loved one is really longing for comfort， this can help soothe any anxiety they may be experiencing.

說話時語氣要放松，讓你愛的人知道一切都會好起來，陪他們坐一會兒。如果他們喜歡肢體接觸，可以給他們一個擁抱、握住他們的手或輕撫他們的手臂。因為他們真的渴望得到安慰，這么做能幫患者減輕可能正在經歷的任何焦慮。

5. Go along with their logic

5. 順應他們的邏輯

Avoid trying to use reason with your loved one， as this will likely make them more agitated. Because of the nature of Alzheimers， they will struggle to process what youre trying to explain， and instead will only see you as getting in their way. Go along with their logic as best you can.

不要試圖與患者理論，因為這可能會讓他們更加激動。由于阿爾茨海默病的性質，患者會難以理解你盡力解釋的內容，反而只會覺得你在阻止他們。所以盡可能順應他們的邏輯吧。

6. Try a comfort object

6. 嘗試提供能給予安慰的物品

Sometimes loved ones may find comfort in objects， something that has a bit of home in it. It could be something they can cuddle with， like a favorite blanket or a stuffed animal. Have these comfort objects nearby and see if they can serve as a source of relief.

有時你愛的人會從物品中尋求慰藉，這些物品要有點“家”味。可以是他們能抱著的東西，比如最喜歡的毯子或填充動物玩偶。把這些安慰物件放在近處，觀察它們是否能起到慰藉作用。

7. Look at a photo album

7. 瀏覽相冊

A photo album can also be useful， and may help instill a sense of recognition. While looking at the photos， maybe you can ask your loved one to tell you more about their home. Even if they have trouble recognizing the photos， the pictures can serve as a distraction， and may still help your loved one cope.

相冊可能也有用，可以幫助患者逐漸產生一種認同感。看相片時，或許可以讓你愛的人跟你聊聊更多關于他們“家”的內容。就算他們認不出照片，這些圖片也能起到分散注意力的作用，或許還能幫助患者應對困境。

8. Reduce outside distractions

8. 減少外界干擾

Distractions like noise， commotion， or a TV might contribute to overstimulating a person with Alzheimers， causing them to seek the comfort of home. Take your loved one out of the noisy environment， and take them to an area that is more calm and peaceful.

噪音、喧鬧或電視聲這樣的外界干擾都可能過度刺激到阿爾茨海默病患者，導致他們尋求“家”的慰藉。把你愛的人帶離嘈雜的環(huán)境，帶他們去更平靜安寧的地方。

9. Allow them to pack

9. 允許他們收拾行李

A person with Alzheimers who wants to go home might insist on packing a bag. Allow them to do this. You can help them pack， and then later set their bag aside while you distract them with another activity. The act of packing and preparing to go may help calm their minds.

想回家的阿爾茨海默病患者可能堅持要去打包行李。要允許他們這么做。你可以幫忙打包，然后把他們的包放置一旁，再用另外一項活動來分散他們的注意力。收拾行李和準備離開的行為或許能幫助患者平靜下來。

10. See if they can nap

10. 看看他們是否能打個盹

People with Alzheimers may often face their own difficulties with sleeping and sleep patterns. But sometimes， a nap may be a helpful way of dealing with restless behavior. If your loved one goes through episodes at a particular time of day （like when the sun goes down）， see if you can get them to take a nap before they begin acting restless.

阿爾茨海默病患者可能常常遭遇睡眠及睡眠模式方面的困難。但有些時候，打個盹可能是處理躁動行為的有效辦法。如果你愛的人會在一天中某個特定時間（比如太陽下山時）發(fā)病，看看你能否在他們開始焦躁不安前讓他們小睡一下。

Above all else， its imperative never to tell a loved one with Alzheimers that they cant go home—it will generally make things worse instead of making things better. Aim to instill a sense of comfort around them and offer plenty of sympathy. Its never an easy situation to deal with， but there are ways to bring your loved one a measure of peace and happiness.

最重要的是，千萬不要告訴患上阿爾茨海默病的親人他們不能回家——拒絕通常會讓事情更糟而非好轉。你的目標是給他們提供舒適感，并給予充足的情感支持。處理這樣的情況從來不是易事，但是，想要帶給你愛的人一定程度的平靜和快樂，辦法還是有的。

（譯者為“《英語世界》杯”翻譯大賽獲獎者）