侯嘉玺/译

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.

阿尔茨海默病患者表示想回“家”，这种情况并不少见。可能很难理解，他们口中的“家”是指他们心爱的童年住所，是指过去的某段时光，还是指跟曾经熟识之人共聚的某个场所。你爱的人可能再也无法回到那里了，但这并不代表看护者不能帮助患者感到更加舒适。如果你爱的人说想回家，下面列出的这10件事是你可以做的。

1. Let them know youre listening

1. 让他们知道你在倾听

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.

让你爱的人知道你理解他们在说什么并能感同身受。与他们讲话时，语气要平静，这样他们才可能理解，甚至也能让他们平静下来。

2. Validate their feelings

2. 认同他们的感受

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.”

同意患者说的话，这样一来，他们会明白自己的感受很重要并且被认可。具体的做法可能包括，告诉他们“好，我们可以回家”，或赞赏患者的想法并建议“也许有时间我们可以试试”。

3. Distract with another fun activity

3. 用另一项有趣的活动来分散注意力

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.

在认同他们讲的话后，无缝衔接到其他事情上，以此转移患者的注意力并用另一项活动来分散注意力。比如，你可以说“我们会回家的，但我们先来打扫干净这个房间吧”或者“我们去散步吧”。有趣的活动能让他们有事可做，不再想回家的事。

4. Reassure them

4. 安抚他们

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.

說话时语气要放松，让你爱的人知道一切都会好起来，陪他们坐一会儿。如果他们喜欢肢体接触，可以给他们一个拥抱、握住他们的手或轻抚他们的手臂。因为他们真的渴望得到安慰，这么做能帮患者减轻可能正在经历的任何焦虑。

5. Go along with their logic

5. 顺应他们的逻辑

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.

不要试图与患者理论，因为这可能会让他们更加激动。由于阿尔茨海默病的性质，患者会难以理解你尽力解释的内容，反而只会觉得你在阻止他们。所以尽可能顺应他们的逻辑吧。

6. Try a comfort object

6. 尝试提供能给予安慰的物品

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.

有时你爱的人会从物品中寻求慰藉，这些物品要有点“家”味。可以是他们能抱着的东西，比如最喜欢的毯子或填充动物玩偶。把这些安慰物件放在近处，观察它们是否能起到慰藉作用。

7. Look at a photo album

7. 浏览相册

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.

相册可能也有用，可以帮助患者逐渐产生一种认同感。看相片时，或许可以让你爱的人跟你聊聊更多关于他们“家”的内容。就算他们认不出照片，这些图片也能起到分散注意力的作用，或许还能帮助患者应对困境。

8. Reduce outside distractions

8. 减少外界干扰

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、喧闹或电视声这样的外界干扰都可能过度刺激到阿尔茨海默病患者，导致他们寻求“家”的慰藉。把你爱的人带离嘈杂的环境，带他们去更平静安宁的地方。

9. Allow them to pack

9. 允许他们收拾行李

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.

想回家的阿尔茨海默病患者可能坚持要去打包行李。要允许他们这么做。你可以帮忙打包，然后把他们的包放置一旁，再用另外一项活动来分散他们的注意力。收拾行李和准备离开的行为或许能帮助患者平静下来。

10. See if they can nap

10. 看看他們是否能打个盹

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.

阿尔茨海默病患者可能常常遭遇睡眠及睡眠模式方面的困难。但有些时候，打个盹可能是处理躁动行为的有效办法。如果你爱的人会在一天中某个特定时间（比如太阳下山时）发病，看看你能否在他们开始焦躁不安前让他们小睡一下。

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，千万不要告诉患上阿尔茨海默病的亲人他们不能回家——拒绝通常会让事情更糟而非好转。你的目标是给他们提供舒适感，并给予充足的情感支持。处理这样的情况从来不是易事，但是，想要带给你爱的人一定程度的平静和快乐，办法还是有的。

（译者为“《英语世界》杯”翻译大赛获奖者）