COMMUNICATING with Individuals with Dementia The Impaired Person's Perspective

Abstract

1 To better meet needs of individuals with dementia, caregivers should focus on receiving and interpreting verbal and nonverbal messages conveyed by the afflicted individuals. 2 Prior research has focused on enhancing communication from caregivers to individuals with dementia; however, the content and meaning of communication received from individuals with dementia remains largely unexplored. 3 This study demonstrates that individuals with dementia are able to transmit meaningful communication and this communication can be interpreted by others, making client-centered interventions possible with this population. 4 If care models based on communication interpretation techniques can be built, perhaps the needs of individuals with dementia can be better met, tensions reduced, problematic behaviors decreased, and quality of life enhanced.