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Communicating With Patients Who Have Alzheimer's Disease By: Danielle Ham, SPTA
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Objectives What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s Disease Facts Changes in Communication Helping Alzheimer’s Patients Communicate Caregivers
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What Is Alzheimer's Disease? Alzheimer's disease is a progressive degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, or neurons: resulting in loss of memory, behavioral changes, thinking and language skills. Alzheimer's disease and other dementia's gradually diminish a person's ability to communicate.
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Alzheimer’s Disease Facts An estimated 5 million people aged 65 and over have Alzheimer’s disease. Another 200,000 people under age 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Every 68 seconds, an American develops Alzheimer’s. In 2050, an American will develop the disease every 33 seconds. Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States overall and the fifth-leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older. Alzheimer’s is the only cause of death among the top 10 without a way to prevent it, cure it or even slow its progression. In 2013, Medicare and Medicaid will spend an estimated $142 billion caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
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Changes In Communication Repeated stories Trouble with word finding Using familiar words repeatedly Speak less often Easily lose train of thought Have difficulty organizing words logically Difficulty expressing emotions and thoughts Have trouble understanding others
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Helping Alzheimer's Patients Communicate Understand behaviors Be patient and supportive Offer a guess and be attentive Encourage unspoken communication Limit distractions Short and simple words Maintain eye contact Validate patient
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Understanding Behaviors Aggression and Anger– Verbal or physical. Suddenly, with no apparent reason or result from a frustrating situation. Anxiety and Agitation- They may become restless, causing a need to move around or pace Depression- very common, especially during the early and middle stages. Hallucinations- They may see, hear, smell, taste or feel something that isn’t there. Memory Loss and Confusion- May not remember familiar people, places or things. Repetition- May do or say something over and over, they may undo something that has just been finished. Sleep Issues and Sundowning- May have problems sleeping or increases in behavioral problems that begin at dusk. Suspicion and Delusions- Suspicious of those around them, even accusing others of theft. Wandering- May not remember their name or address and can become disoriented, even in familiar places. Abuse- can occur anywhere, including at home and in care settings. Also from people who take advantage of their cognitive impairment.
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Be Patient and Supportive Try not to interrupt Encourage patient to express thoughts and feelings Show that you care about what the patient is saying Avoid correcting, criticizing, and arguing
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Offer a Guess and Be Attentive If a patient can't find the right word try guessing the right word Be careful not to cause unnecessary frustration Show that you are listening Use gentle relaxed voice and friendly facial expressions
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Encourage Unspoken Communication If you don't understand, ask the person to point or gesture Adapt to their way of communicating Acknowledge facial expressions
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Limit Distractions Reduce background noise Keep hands away from face when talking Avoid mumbling Speak naturally; Don't shout Find a quiet place that supports the persons ability to focus
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Short and Simple Words Ask one question at a time One step commands Avoid pronouns; Identify persons and things by name Rephrase rather then repeat
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Maintain Eye Contact Gain patient's attention Visual communication is very important Approach the person from the front If patient is sitting go to their level slowly to talk to them Call the patient by his or her name
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Validate Patient Validate what the patient has to say Forget the fact you need to tell them the truth The truth is not their world
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Caregivers In 2012, 15.4 million family and friends provided 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias – care valued at $216.4 billion. Nearly 15 percent of caregivers are long-distance caregivers, living an hour or more away from their loved ones. Out-of-pocket caregiving costs are nearly twice as high for long-distance caregivers compared with local caregivers. More than 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high; more than one-third report symptoms of depression. Due to the physical and emotional toll of caregiving, Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers had $9.1 billion in additional health care costs of their own in 2012.
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Just Remember Their changes in communication Their behaviors are altered Validate their world Remember the caregivers and any support you can give.
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References http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/improving-communication http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/improving-communication http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-communication-tips.asp http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-communication-tips.asp http://www.alzfdn.org/AboutAlzheimers/definition.html http://www.alzfdn.org/AboutAlzheimers/definition.html http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp http://ptjournal.apta.org/search?submit=yes&submit=Submit&pubdate_year= 2009&volume=89&firstpage=569&doi=&author1=&author2=&title=&andorexac ttitle=and&titleabstract=&andorexacttitleabs=and&fulltext=&andorexactfullt ext=and&fmonth=&fyear=&tmonth=&tyear=&format=standard&hits=10&sortsp ec=relevance&submit=yes http://ptjournal.apta.org/search?submit=yes&submit=Submit&pubdate_year= 2009&volume=89&firstpage=569&doi=&author1=&author2=&title=&andorexac ttitle=and&titleabstract=&andorexacttitleabs=and&fulltext=&andorexactfullt ext=and&fmonth=&fyear=&tmonth=&tyear=&format=standard&hits=10&sortsp ec=relevance&submit=yes
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