Try: Communicate with the cr in a tactful and thoughtful manner learn and apply appropriate communication techniques avoid arguing confrontations or trying to logically convince cr of something avoid relying solely on what cr tells you corroborate each story or event as needed validate cr’s feelings concerns and experiences even if they don’t match with reality correcting only causes upset – cr won’t reorient to remembering it later look for and respond to the meaning behind cr’s words e g asking about someone may mean cr misses them and has a need to reminisce or has a need to connect with something reassuring familiar safe etc avoid quizing cr; instead sk about his her thoughts and feelings

Materials: n/a

Categories: Communication, Medical Physical, Personal, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: planning guide for dementia care at home a reference tool for care managers by the alzheimer’s association, south central wisconsin chapter the wisconsin alzheimer’s institute and the wisconsin bureau of aging and long term care resources division of disability and elder services department of health and family services 2004 available at www dhs wisconsin gov

Keywords: Communication repetitive speech repeats word talks in circles says the same thing over and over memory loss disoriented

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed