Communication with person with dementia

Abstract:

Communication with a person with dementia becomes more difficult as the illness progresses and eventually becomes impossible. Interventions to improve communication should be taken from early stages of dementia. Using particular skills and techniques, caregivers may improve communication with the person with dementia and try to keep it at the same level for as long as possible. Non-pharmacological interventions may be beneficial in reducing behavioural disturbances, which often accompany the progression of illness. The combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological techniques is usually more effective than psychopharmacotherapy alone. Fighting stigma of dementia may help society to become more sensitive and understanding to the communication problems of persons with dementia

Key words:
Alzheimer disease; art therapy; communication; dementia; social stigma