presentation

1. Communicatingwith
Alzheimer’s
Dr. Drew Chenelly

2. What is communication?
 The exchange of information to meet a need.
 Spoken words = only 7% of a communication.
 Expression accounts for 35%.
 58% of a communication is body language.
 When the message is accurately understood you
have effective communication.
 Each person is both a source (speaker) and a
receiver (listener).

3. Alzheimer’sCommunicationLosses
 Memory: orientation…vocabulary…names...
recognition…information.
 Understanding: abstraction…word meaning…
body language and other cues.
 Speech skills: fluency…grammar…diction…goal
direction…coherence.
 Social skills: swearing…blunt & rude…disinterest…
egocentricity…paranoia.

4. Alzheimer’sSpeech
 Stereotypic language – repeating the same words
over and over.
 Empty speech – vague generalizations.
 Paraphasias – confusing related words.

5. General CommunicationTechniques1
 Approach from the front.
 Gain attention.
 Maintain direct eye contact.
 Speak in a soft and clear voice.
 Eliminate distracting or competing noises.
 Speak and move slowly.
 Identify yourself …use the resident’s name.
 Use short, simple sentences with familiar words.
 Avoid pronouns… identify people and things by name.
 Point… use gesture and visual cues.
 Use overemphasis and exaggerated facial expressions.

6. General CommunicationTechniques2
 Show that you are listening.
 Focus on feelings not facts.
 Smile, use gentile touch and humor.
 Respond to comments and questions by repeating the
resident’s last words before beginning your response.
 Give one direction or ask one question at a time.
 Limit the use of questions …word questions so they
can be answered yes or no or by gesture.

7. General CommunicationTechniques3
 Avoid abstraction and metaphor.
 Offer a guess.
 Turn questions into answers.
 Paraphrase rather than repeat.
 Avoid quizzing or correcting.
 Be positive…always reflect calmness and reassurance.
 Be conscious of your body language and theirs.

8. CommunicationProblems
what to say
 “Please take me home”.
I know you miss your home.
 “I want to call my Mother.”
What was your Mother like?
 “I can’t remember anything.”
Don’t try to force it. It may come later.
 “I’m an adult not a child.”
It can be irritating to be treated like a child.

9. CommunicationProblems
what to say
 “I hate her.”
I would be upset about having to live with strangers too.
 “Everyone here is crazy”
Well your not crazy, are you.
 “Who are you?”
I’m your son Bill.
 “They stole my money”
Lets see if we can find it.

10. CommunicationProblems
 Repeated questions: What is the meaning of the
question?
 Making choices: Limit to two or give direction.
 Resistance or refusal: What is the cause?
 Sexual remarks: Be matter-of-fact and
non-judgmental.
 False beliefs: Do not challenge.