Improving Communication Skills in Care of People with Dementia, an article in the Nursing Times.Net,reported the results of a study in the UK. (CSCI, 2008). While this report is about the quality of life for people in long term care in the UK, suffice it to say that in the UK these studies are being done. I have not yet seen similar research undertaken in the U.S. Following are excerpts from the article.
"This study, based on findings from 100 inspections of care homes, used the new Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI) to examine the experiences of 424 people with moderate to advanced stages of dementia."
"Communication issues
While the report recognises that offering the appropriate level of support to people with dementia can be a difficult balancing act, it found 22% of people spent time in a withdrawn mood state at a time of day when people were generally engaged in activities. Those least engaged were those with the most severe communication problems and disabilities.
The investigation did find excellent examples of care, offered with warmth, understanding and tolerance. The data in the investigation report shows a ‘significant relationship’ between people being in a happy and relaxed state and being engaged in the world around them.
Issues surrounding maintaining privacy and dignity were highlighted in 18 out of 100 care homes. The report argues that impersonal assistance and a task-oriented approach undermine people’s sense of dignity and can lead to them being passive and silent. It adds that the quality of communication – both verbal and non-verbal – has a great bearing on how people with dementia feel."
"The CSCI emphasises that it is not just negative forms of communication that leave people feeling distressed; ‘neutral’ styles of communication can also have this effect. A neutral style of communication is defined as staff focusing on a task that needs to be completed, and lacking empathy and warmth.
The report also highlights the importance of promoting communication between people with dementia and family carers, the wider community and other residents."
"The report states that the quality of staff communication with people with dementia has a major impact on their quality of life. It concludes that a significant finding is the negative effect of neutral communication on the feelings of people with dementia, and stresses the importance of well trained and supported staff."
Dr. Meg Chang and I recently completed Nonverbal Communication Training for Caregivers of People with Dementia: An Embodied Approach, the training manual to accompany our trainings. Why an embodied approach. This approach is comprehensive, providing caregivers with the tools to be aware of their own communication style as well as what the person with dementia may be communicating. This is a how-to training program that empowers the caregiver/ staff / trainee to continually evaluate their communication, rather than 10 Easy Steps. After just completing the most recent 120 hour course in Laban Movement Analysis, I can assure you, there are NO easy steps. Every one of us is unique, which means that our communication styles are unique as well.
Contact me for information about our training programs.
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