Rethinking Communication guide to advanced dementia

The lack of interaction is harmful not only to anyone with dementia and their loved ones but to staff in care homes also. Several research studies 1 have reported a relationship between negative attitudes towards residents with dementia and high levels of ‘burnout’ amongst staff who care for them. Poor motivation and ineffectual training among staff will lead to reduced levels of interaction between the carers and their charges, as those carers come to feel unsupported and unable to connect. That is one of the reasons why the topic that we are discussing in this book is so important. Finding alternative methods of communication in the care environment has the potential to improve the quality of life for everyone spending time in a care home. This includes the residents, their visitors, the care staff and the managers. Becoming curious about communication in dementia allows us to improve the lives of all concerned. 1 e.g. S Astrom et al (1991) Staff burnout in dementia care: Relations to empathy and attitudes . International Journal of Nursing Studies, 18, 65–75