Question

Case study (questions 6–13)

Read this case study then answer the questions that follow.

Lila is a support worker at a care facility. Lila provides care to people who experience memory loss. Every day at work Lila faces new challenges as she tries her best to use the most appropriate communication strategies to meet each person’s individual needs.

Some of the people Lila works with have severe dementia and can become distressed when spoken to. Others she cares for are not aware of anything that is going on around them – they are disorientated to the day, time, relationships and occasions. Sometimes they confuse the past and reality taking place around them. Lila has found that no single strategy works for everyone, and that everyone has unique communication needs

Question

6. What are some verbal communication factors that Lila should be aware of when communicating with people who have memory loss?

7. What are some nonverbal communication factors that Lila should be aware of when communicating with people who have memory loss?

8. What communication strategies could Lila use to remind people with dementia what day it is?

9. What communication strategies could Lila use to remind people with dementia what time it is?

10. What communication strategies could Lila use to remind people with dementia of relationships?

11. What communication strategies could Lila use to remind people with dementia of occasions?

12. What reality orientation strategies could Lila use with people with dementia?

13. What activities could Lila use to connect with people with dementia through frequent reminiscence?

Answer 1

6. Verbal communiation factors

• Say the individual’s name and identify yourself
• Refer to people by their names
• Speak clearly and slowly
• Speak with warmth and positivity
• Simplify the words and make statements instead of asking questions
• Talk to the individual as an adult, not a child
• Answer questions in a calm and reassuring manner
• Offer a guess when the person uses the wrong word or cannot find the word
• Encourage the person when they are facing trouble expressing themselves
• Move at the pace of the person that is according to their time and place

7. Non Verbal communiation factors

• Make and maintain eye contact while having a conversation
• Have a pleasant look on your face
• Observe the actions of the person and listen to the words carefully
• Do not stand directly over the top of the person and bend down to their level so that they do not have difficulty in looking up
• Avoid body language which conveys frustration, anger or in a rush
• Watch for signs of frustration , anger, fear and act accordingly
• Physical touch, a hug or a handshake, is very important