This post may be of interest to those dealing with communication problems caused by dementia including false accusations, loss of verbal impulse control, and inability to complete a verbal request.
In this short article on AgingCare.com, Teepa Snow, a dementia care expert, shares three common communication breakdowns caused by dementia —
1- false accusations: often directed toward those most involved in their care simply because those are the people they see the most.
2- loss of verbal impulse control: perhaps someone who used to be quite polite suddenly becomes unable to hold his/her tongue and says something rude or inconsiderate, even with some expletives thrown in.
3- inability to complete a verbal request: the care recipient cannot be specific in his/her comments or requests. The examples given is saying “I need….” but being unable to finish the sentence.
Ms. Snow outlines “how caregivers can respond in a way that will diffuse tension and make their elderly loved one feel better.”
The article is worth checking out:
www.agingcare.com/Articles/communicating-with-dementia-patients-150914.htm
Things People With Dementia Say: Common Phrases and How to Reply
Agin2012gCare.com
by Anne-Marie Botek
Thanks to BSN volunteer Denise Dagan for evaluating the article for us!
Robin