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Boosting Communication Skills: Helping Care Providers Connect with Dementia Patients

Boosting Communication Skills: Helping Care Providers Connect with Dementia Patients

Introduction

Effective communication is a cornerstone of quality care in long-term care homes (LTCHs), especially for residents with dementia. The study titled Can We Help Care Providers Communicate More Effectively With Persons Having Dementia Living in Long-Term Care Homes? provides valuable insights into enhancing communication between care providers and residents with dementia. This blog will explore the study's findings and suggest ways practitioners can improve their skills using these insights.

The Importance of Communication in Dementia Care

Dementia significantly impairs cognitive functions such as memory, language, and perception, making communication challenging. In LTCHs, care providers often struggle to understand and meet the needs of residents with dementia, leading to issues like agitation or depression. Improving communication skills among care providers can enhance the quality of life (QOL) for residents and reduce the burden on caregivers.

Key Findings from the Study

The study implemented a communication intervention consisting of individualized communication plans, a dementia care workshop, and a support system for care providers. The results were promising:

Implementing Effective Communication Strategies

Based on the study's outcomes, practitioners can enhance their communication skills by adopting the following strategies:

Encouraging Further Research

While the study provides a solid foundation, further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of communication interventions in LTCHs. Practitioners are encouraged to participate in or conduct research to continue improving communication strategies and outcomes for residents with dementia.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that tailored communication interventions can significantly enhance the QOL for residents with dementia and improve the mood and reduce the burden on care providers. By implementing these strategies, practitioners can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they care for.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Can We Help Care Providers Communicate More Effectively With Persons Having Dementia Living in Long-Term Care Homes?


Citation: McGilton, K. S., Rochon, E., Sidani, S., Shaw, A., Ben-David, B. M., Saragosa, M., Boscart, V. M., Wilson, R., Galimidi-Epstein, K. K., & Pichora-Fuller, M. K. (2016). Can we help care providers communicate more effectively with persons having dementia living in long-term care homes? American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, 31(3), 193-210. https://doi.org/10.1177/1533317516680899
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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