It is often the relatives who sustain a lot of pressure when trying to communicate with a patient suffering from dementia. Loss of memory, disrupted perception, and even loss of both verbal and mental apraxia, are all paraphrased and treated as a verbal approach to the solution. Dementia sufferers, as well as loved ones, can experience similar changes in distress.
However, with the application of the correct methods, these kinds of conversations can be improved and also be very constructive. The main aims of this essay are to explain the relationship between dementia and the process of communication and the specific techniques that can be used to enhance and facilitate the content and the process.
Dementia patients might also be presented with word-finding difficulties, circumlocution as well as the inability to maintain a coherent line of arguments. In such instances, they might for instance have difficulty answering the question ‘What is it called?’ or interpreting the expression ‘What are you looking for?’. These problems are caused by lesions of the appropriate zones in the brain rather than being willed movements.
To family members or caregivers helping the affected person, these scenarios call for tolerance and comprehension. The emphasis should be shifted from the characteristics that were previously present to how the limitations can be removed and new ways of communication employed.
Creating the Right Environment for the Resolution of Conflict
A rather irritating aspect of the appliances is that some of them are relatively too noisy, coupled with the even more annoying sound which is usually from the television, which most of the time distracts our dementia clients from concentrating on the conversation. Maybe even interacting with someone we love and respect, who always appears so careworn, is not such a strain when the agony is masked by a smile or stooped shoulders.
When one is seated across a person that one is in conversation with and that person performs non-verbal cues with proper eye contact, it means involvement and action with a focus on the subject. It is as easy as physically moving one’s head to execute an action type involving turning about.
When looking at communication or the task, the situation in which this communication or task is executed does not have to be taken for granted. One practice that seems promising is to allow the individual to sometimes speak from a familiar place or setting to reduce the chances of frustration.
This not only reduces the level of frustration but it also inspires the individual in the direction of the goal. It is not necessary to depend on space rearrangement to enhance non-verbal communication; however, two to three alterations of the environment are suggested.
Changing How You Communicate
Communicating with someone who has a developmental delay, like dementia, calls for concise phrases. Summarising the issue and tackling it directly is the only option available when interacting with people who have dementia. Many, including this group, have problems with argument cohesion because trying to remember what one wants to argue about is quite an abstract task for them. When people talk at an adequate speed and rhythm, it allows the listeners to absorb the information. There should also be an emphasis on the interval to be given after each question or statement which is crucial to answering the asked questions.
Building Lasting Emotional Connections
As far as patients suffering from Alzheimer’s are concerned, speaking to somebody transcends mere words; it includes emotions. It may be fruitful to try and give them an invitation in which they talk about their days off or the most important day. However, people who are affected by dementia can forget short-term events but can remember long-term events, so showing them albums with their pictures or talking about their history is usually very constructive. You can also ask fun questions to dementia patients to keep the interaction light and engaging, such as asking about their favorite foods, childhood games, or memorable holidays.
Transcending the Spoken Words: Decoded Gestures
Considering that the patient is already in advanced stages of dementia, then the ability and actual use of nonverbal behaviours in any communication becomes well warranted. Look closely at facial features, hand movement patterns, and the coordinated movements of the body as a structure. Of course, even the most dignified gentleman will chuckle, grimace or react with body movement if something that catches his attention is being said, even if he does not utter a word. Certainly, Mira speaks also in regions in which the head is scarcely relevant and body language in this regard is more pertinent in portraying understanding of the client’s position.
Controlling and Modifying Strategies in the Treatment of Dementia
When dementia becomes severe, it may be necessary to change how a patient is communicated. In the early stages, the patient is still somewhat able to engage in conversations, but not completely as they would require periods of silence in some instances. However, at this time, it is good to help them express themselves as much as they can, and only attempt to reign it in when it begins to go off course too much. Even talking with caregivers is possible, for example, what food patients loved, what childhood games were played, or the best holidays they had.
Learning to Manage Emotions Constructively – Self-Restraint and Self-Acceptance
Dementia is not a single disease but a broad phenomenon that can, in most cases, be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. All these types seem to necessitate a lot of endurance on the part of the relatives of the affected person while attempting to teach him or her. People tend to become overly angry in such cases, but the most important point to bear in mind is that these individuals are not inherently bad. The communication impairments seen in patients suffering from dementia have physiological bases and are not willed or a product of cognitive effort.
Conclusion
Engaging a partner or a wife suffering from dementia should not be expected, nor is it what they need to be doing. They need to be cared for, treated with respect, and understood in the best way to attempt to work alongside them. Speaking using simple words and elaborating a story, or just sitting next to one another; for every step that you take, you are facilitating and enhancing healing processes.
Leave feedback about this