Can some with Alzheimer's learn to use sign language?

Answer by  craik (128)

Some senior centers are beginning to see the value of teaching seniors sign language so that they can communicate their needs more easily. Not all of the hand positions need to be learned to communicate effectively. Signing can be useful with some patients with early stage Alzheimer's, but the brain of patients with more severe Alzheimer's is probably too impaired.

Answer by  moomin (39)

No. A person with Alzheimer's has a degenerative brain disease that results in the progressive loss of memory, starting with spatial orientation and ending with forgetting even how to swallow. It is highly unlikely that such a person will learn something as complex as translating verbal language into sign language.

Answer by  bubbyboy (9929)

Probably not. To learn a sign language requires a good memory and an Alzheeimer patient doesn't have that. By the time the patient can't communicate his memory is gone.