communicating & connecting with individuals who have dementia · • dementia is a general term...
TRANSCRIPT
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Objectives
• Learn practical tools & techniques in communication
• Understand how the use of these tools can reduce and even prevent challenging behaviors
• Practice new skills which will enhance well-being in your patients with memory impairments.
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• Dementia is a general term that describes a variety of progressive, terminal brain impairments that affect memory & thinking.
• Although there are about 70 different types, the most common one is Alzheimer’s disease.
• Dementia is NOT a part of the normal aging process
What is dementia?
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What changes?
• Memory
• Language / Communication
• Task Ability
• Visual-Spatial Perception
• Behavior
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Important Guidelines in Communication
• Understand what isn’t possible to change– “lower your expectations & you will lower your frustrations”
• OUR thoughts, beliefs and actions significantly impact THEIR behavior– Your body language, tone and attitude matters!
• All behavior has meaning– All behavior is about unmet needs!
• Connecting overrides the task– Connecting & communicating with patients is always
more important than the task at hand
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• Raises resident self-esteem
• Lowers resident frustration
• Strengthens resident independence
• Enhances relationship
Benefits of Compassionate Communication
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2. Facilitate a connection
• Establish eye contact• Use touch and
gestures• Use a calm voice• Speak simply and
slowly
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3. Check the environment
• Excess stimulation; i.e. too much activity or noise; too many people?
• Loud or unidentifiable noises?• Too bright or too dark settings in hallways,
common rooms, resident rooms?• Mirrors or other reflecting surfaces, patterned
wallpaper?• Too many changes in staff or routine?
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4. Adjust your approach
• Think ahead
• Give simple directions
• Ask one question at a time, avoid open ended questions!
• Be mindful of facial expressions and body language
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5. Focus on remaining skills
• Match activities to abilities• Give praise and offer
compliments• Encourage activities of
independence• Respond to feelings, not
words• Establish routines• Emphasize long-held skills
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Effective Communication
Do:• Repeat• Accept blame• Leave room• Agree• Use distraction
Don’t:• Reason• Argue / Confront• Remind• Question recent memory• Take it personally
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• Avoid insistence. Try again later. “If you don’t insist, they can’t resist!”
• Agree with them or distract them to a different subject or activity
• Accept the blame when something’s wrong (even when it is not our fault)
• Leave the room, if necessary, to avoid confrontations
More do’s!
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Final do’s
• Give short, one sentence explanations.
• Be patient, cheerful and reassuring. Do go with the flow.
• Practice 100% forgiveness. If they could control their behavior, they wouldn’t have this diagnosis!
• They can’t remember your praises, compliments and reassurances. Keep repeating them.
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• Address the person by name he or she prefers
• Avoid sudden movements• Give one-step directions using short
familiar phrases• Use non-verbal communication –
visual clues, gestures, touch, smile
Communication Style
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Techniques to remember
• Remain calm
• Respond to feelings
• Reassure the person
• Remove yourself, return later
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What we do
• Telephone support
• Family Care Consultation
• Family Orientation• Activities for people
with mild memory loss• Support and discussion
groups
• Education and support programs for families and professionals
• Clinical trials
• Public Policy and Advocacy
• Safety and Wandering education