As a Caregiver, there are ways to maintain effective communication throughout all stages of dementia by adapting your communication style. Dementia Care Specialists (DCS) offers the following strategies to help raise awareness and facilitate communication when caring for an individual with dementia or related cognitive challenges. Using these tips in combination with a person-centered care approach that is rooted in dignity and respect can help improve function, emotional well-being, and quality of life for the individual with dementia and the caregiver.
Tip 1: Gain Attention and Trust
Before you make any attempt to communicate, make sure you have gained the individual’s attention. It is also important that the person in your care feels safe with you and that you have his or her agreement and approval to proceed.
Examples:
• Ed, is your daughter coming to see you today?
• Good morning Betty. It’s time to go to breakfast.
• Les, would you like to take a walk?
Tip 2: Approach From the Front
When you approach an individual, always try to do so from the front so he or she has an opportunity to recognize you. Keep in mind that in the later stages of dementia, range of vision may become more limited, so you may need to make
further adaptations. Before delivering your message, make direct eye contact (unless culturally unacceptable) and stand or sit in front of the individual before proceeding. During the conversation, maintaining eye contact helps show that you are listening, builds trust, promotes respect, and indicates that you care about the person.
Tip 3: Minimise Distractions
Individuals with dementia are often easily distracted by both sights and sounds. Before communicating, try to eliminate all unnecessary sources of stimulation. If you need to handle the individual’s personal belongings, be sure to ask his or her
permission first.
Examples:
• Frances, can I turn off your television for a little while?
• John, can you turn the volume down on your radio?
• Helen, let’s put these magazines away until after lunch.
Tip 4: Lead With the Person’s Name
Calling a person with dementia by name shows respect, and identifying yourself often helps the individual with orientation. Leading with the person’s name will also catch his or her attention, improving the person’s ability to attend to your question or request.
Examples:
• Hi Arthur, I’m Carrie. Are you ready to play cards?
• Good Morning Ethel. You have a visitor coming today, don’t you?
• George, it’s Becky. How are you feeling today?
Tip 5: Avoid Pronouns
Pronouns are often convenient substitutions for nouns, but using pronouns when communicating with an individual with dementia can cause confusion and frustration. Pronouns are words like it, he, his, she, her, them, they, those, etc. Speak clearly and simply, and avoid pronouns as much as possible.
Examples:
• Marvin, when did Arlene leave? (not “she”)
• Caroline, can you put your shirt in the basket? (not “it”)
• Tony, let’s give the books back to Jerry and Allen. (not “them”)
Tip 6: Use Short Sentences
Long or run-on sentences filled with lots of information can be confusing to someone with dementia. A sentence like “Turn the water on and wash your face because your daughter is coming to see you this afternoon and we want you to be
freshened up before her visit” will most likely not be fully comprehended. Keep your sentences short and to the point.
Examples:
• Bob, your son will be here soon.
• Stephen, turn on the water.
• Barbara, use the towel.
Tip 7: Wait for a Response
Research shows that response time for a person with dementia can be delayed by up to 30 seconds. As a caregiver, this delay can be very frustrating. It can also be misinterpreted as the person’s inability to comprehend your message. When communicating with an individual with dementia, allow time for your words to be processed. During processing, do not distract the individual. Be patient and you will often receive the response you may have missed.
Tip 8: Use Visual or Tactile Cues
Words alone may not be enough to convey the meaning of your message. This can lead to a lack of response and the conclusion that the individual cannot or will not do what is being asked. Use visual demonstrations and tactile/hands-on cues to accompany your words.
Examples:
• While saying “please brush your hair,” demonstrate the movement of hair brushing.
• While saying “raise your arm,” raise your arm to demonstrate.
• While saying “it’s time to eat,” put your hand to your mouth to simulate eating.
Tip 9: Watch Your Nonverbal
A key aspect of communication is nonverbal. In addition to the words you use, your tone of voice, volume, body language, and facial expressions also send a message every time you speak. Nonverbal messages can be both intentional and
unintentional, so be careful not so change the meaning of your message with your nonverbal cues.
Examples:
• Keep your volume at a normal level (unless the individual is hard of hearing).
• Avoid crossing your arms as this can indicate impatience or tension.
Tip 10: Be Patient, Supportive, and Friendly
At every stage of dementia, there is a person behind the patient. Let the person know that he or she has your full attention. Focus on the feelings related to the communication, not just the facts. Whenever possible and appropriate, use additional forms of communication to express support, such as touches and smiles. Good communication brings rewards
to both the sender and the receiver.
Related Articles
Keeping the Home Care Location Safe
What is WeBookCare and how does it work?
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.