Dementia Practice Webinar Series: Enhancing communication in Dementia Support

This webinar, aimed at individuals providing direct care to a person living with dementia, will discuss the impact of effective communication on a person living with dementia in aged care. Challenges in communication will be highlighted before a discussion of practical strategies for support.
By viewing this webinar, participants can expect to:
* Identify communication challenges experienced by a person living with dementia.
* Explain some strategies for supporting effective communication.
* Understand the impact of effective and ineffective communication.
Dementia Australia offers support, information, education and counselling.
Call the National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500
Webchat: dementia.org.au/helpline/webchat
Visit our website: dementia.org.au

[@tassiehills]

Communication: Important to introduce yourself. Who you are. Why you’re here. What benefit to the person/client are you. Sharon’s explanation about using common sense and being empathetic to the individual and being respectful is so good and important By being respectful and polite to a client (including in front of others) engenders reciprocal respect. Just because a person is living with dementia doesn't mean they are no longer their individual selves and understand what going on but just not able to communicate back to others. I think it vital that all carers understand that the person living with dementia used to be a healthy, vital, average (or not) person and that they just happen to have this debilitating illness and they need our help to live the best life they can.

[@santeemoontazdigpaul7495]

Thanks so much for the presentation it’s absolutely an enhancement working with people with undiagnosed and diagnosed conditions.

[@santeemoontazdigpaul7495]

Communication is very important to everyone living in or working with these categories of people who could be anywhere in the community

[@jackpalmer3572]

It sure it’s a huge learning curve- hearing some of the problems within a dementia facility, fills me with dread should I be unfortunate enough to have to move my dear wife and friend into such an environment. Hearing about the way these poor souls are having to deal with what could upset them. Right now , my wife has difficulty even finding her way around our home. Moving here a year ago because my daughter wanted to sell her rental property where we lived for 4.5 years was very traumatic. At night - the need for the toilet - I’m woken to provide light and a direction - “ pointing - “ out that door then right and right! Providing guidance constantly - where the fridge is - the pantry! Also Very aware of the attitude “ oh, they’ve got Alzheimer’s My most recent lesson - don’t ask “ why are you getting aggressive “ - it rebounds immediately! No matter how calmly I have said it. Try and report what the plan is for the next step. Normally , Ruth has always washed her own hair but “ tomorrow “ is always a good time. Delay after delay. Finally, I arranged a treat for a hair wash. Immediately she became aggressive, I made the mistake of saying - it’s not like you to be aggressive. Eventually not responding to any comments. We EVENTUALLY got her to a hairdresser. She enjoyed it thoroughly - sadly I didn’t video the event. “ for the next time “ ‘

[@larrywright5891]

Similar to the Mediterranean diet, the MIND diet features vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables; berries over other fruit; whole grains; beans; nuts; one or more weekly servings of fish; and olive oil. It also limits servings of red meat, sweets, cheese, butter/margarine, and fast/fried food. the patient should hum and listen to lots of music, looking at old photos. In dementia, the hardest symptom to treat is agitation and aggression among patients. A study has found that essential oils, particularly lavender, bergamot, and lemon balm, can help calm the patient and suppress aggression, agitation, and other psychotic symptoms in patients with dementia. I do find it strange that some political leaders think they can handle their office due to pride. this is elder abuse and persons with medical conditions like this one need proper care and maintenance.

[@user-sw5xr9tx5z]

Please don't feel dread about your loved one going into care. There are many facilities who do a great job caring for their Residents with Dementia. There's no perfect place because humans are involved and we make mistakes - however the caring staff do their best. Be assured that your loved one will be loved.

[@larrywright5891]

you should keep your wife at home with you. do things to help recall the distant past like going over old family photos and stuff you did together for years. Very good when we keep the family together.

[@user-sw5xr9tx5z]

@@larrywright5891 That's easy to say Larry. It's very complicated assisting someone with Dementia. It can get to the point where they are awake all night; defecate the bed; can get aggressive; suffer from extreme paranoia; to name a few.