Dementia and Communication

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Dementia and Communication

• LaCrissa Bellomy
• Marshall University
• CD 315

2
Essential Question

• How does a persons communication change from
  early to late dementia?
• The purpose of this power point presentation is
  to give information on dementia and the affects
  it has on a persons communication.

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Topics of Discussion

• Through this presentation I will specifically
  answer
• What is dementia?
• What are the different stages of dementia?
• What are early and late dementia?
• What is communication?
• What aspects of communication are affected by
  dementia?

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What is Dementia?

• Dementia is a term used for a degenerative
  disease of the brain that causes brain
  dysfunction. It can be confused with typical
  aging because many of the symptoms are the same
  (Jonker, Raiijmakers, and Spaan, 2005). Some of
  them are forgetfulness, misplacing things,
  confusion, decrease in concentration, personality
  changes, and impaired judgement and planning.
  Speech difficulty, trouble walking, and trouble
  swallowing can occur in the later stages.
• There are many causes of dementia including
  Alzheimers Disease, Vascular Dementia, and Lewy
  Body Dementia (MedlinePlus, 2006). It can also
  be caused by reactions to medication, infections,
  poisoning, brain tumors, and other conditions
  (NINDS, 2006). Alzheimers Disease is the most
  commonly diagnosed cause (Blennow, Leon, and
  Zetterburg, 2006).

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Stages of Dementia
Stage 1 No cognitive Decline No complaints of memory deficit.
Stage 2 Very Mild Cognitive Decline Complaints of memory deficit such as forgetting where objects were placed and forgetting names. No deficits in employment or social situations.
Stage 3 Mild Cognitive Decline Getting lost when traveling to unfamiliar places, word and name finding problems, evident memory deficits in interview, decreased performance in work and social settings, denial begins, person may experience some anxiety.
Stage 4 Moderate Cognitive Decline Some memory deficit of personal history, decreased ability to travel, trouble performing complex tasks, denial. No trouble with orientation to time and place or recognizing familiar people.
(Reisberg, Ferris, Leon and Crook, 1982)
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Stages of Dementia
Stage 5 Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline The person needs some assistance,is unable to recall address and phone number, has some disorientation to time and place. They know major facts about themselves, know spouse and childrens names, and are able to eat on their own. They may need help choosing clothes.
Stage 6 Severe Cognitive Decline The person is dependent upon others, may forget the name of their spouse, not aware of recent events in their own lives, and are generally unaware of surroundings. Can usually recall own name, and recognize familiar people. Personality and emotional changes can occur.
Stage 7 Very Severe Cognitive Decline The persons verbal abilities are lost during this stage. Some unintelligible utterance may be heard. They require assistance with toileting and eating. They lose the ability to walk over the course of this stage.
(Reisberg, Ferris, Leon and Crook, 1982)
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What are early and late dementia?

• Early and late dementia are not clearly defined.
  By early and late I am referring to onset and
  final stage. The purpose of looking at the
  changes from early to late dementia is so we can
  see the way communication is affected over the
  course of the disease.

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What is communication?

• Communication is the exchange of information. It
  can be expressive or receptive. Receptive
  communication refers to receiving and
  understanding information.
• Expressive communication refers
  to sending a message.
• There are many ways a person can communicate with
  others. We can communicate verbally, nonverbally,
  or through writing/reading. Nonverbal
  communication can be things such as body language
  or gestures. Verbal communication is speech.

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What aspects of communication are affected by
dementia?

• In the early stages people with dementia may have
  language problems such as forgetting words or
  using the wrong words which can make it somewhat
  difficult for others to understand.
  (Frazier-Rios, Zembrzuski, 2005)
• Those with dementia may lose the ability to read
  and write.
• The ability to comprehend speech may be lost, as
  well as the ability to form speech.
  (Frazier-Rios, Zembrzuski, 2005)
• Although those with dementia lose the ability
  communicate in many ways, they can understand
  facial expressions, tone of voice, and emotion.

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Real Life

• Dementia not only affects the person who is
  diagnosed with it, but also their family and
  friends. Often the spouse or children become the
  primary care giver. This is a difficult job, as
  the person becomes
  completely dependent upon others. The
  
  personality and mood changes can also be
  difficult to deal
  with (Swenson, 2004). In
  the later stages it will be
  helpful to simplify
  speech but not talk down to them,
  initiate
  conversation, and repeat what you say.
• As the persons memory worsens family members
  often find it helpful to keep a calendar of daily
  events or some type of signature book that those
  who visit can write in. (About, Inc., 2006)

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Next Steps

• After being diagnosed with dementia it is
  important to take into consideration treatment
  options and medications. There is no cure for
  dementia but some medicines may improve brain
  function or slow the progression of the disease.
  These options can be discussed with a doctor.
  (About Dementia, 2006)
• As you are learning about dementia and planning
  for the future its important to find out what
  long term care options are available to you and
  decide what would be best for you, the person
  with dementia, and your family. Keep in contact
  with professionals that specialize in this area
  and those that can help you make the right
  choices.

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References

• 1. Jonker, C., Raaijmakers, J. G.W., Spaan,
  P.E.J., (2005). Early assessment of dementia
  The contribution of different memory components.
  Neurophysiology, 19(5), 629-640. Retrieved
  September, from the PsycARTICLES Database.
• 2. Swenson, C.R.,  (2004). Dementia diary A
  personal and professional journal. Social Work,
  49(3), 451. Retrieved September 30, 2006, from
  the Academic Search Premiere Database
• 3. Blennow, K., de Leon, M.J., Zetterburg, H.
  (2006). Alzheimers disease. Lancet, 368,
  387-403. Retrieved September 23, 2006, from the
  MEDLINE Database.
• 4. Frazier-rios, D., Zembruski, C. (2005).
  Communication difficulties Assessment and
  intervention. Dermatology Nursing, 17(4),
  319-320. Retrieved September 23, 2006, from the
  Academic Search Premier Database.
• 5. About dementia. (March 3, 2006). Retrieved
  November 3, 2006, from http//www.dementia.com/bg
  display.jhtml?itemnamedementia_about.

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References

• 6. National Institute of Neurological Disorders
  and Stroke.(September 29, 2006). Dementia Hope
  through research. Retrieved November 4, 2006,
  from http//ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/deta
  il_dementia.htm.
• 7. Reisberg, B., Ferris, S.H., Leon, J.J.,
  Crook, T. (1982). The global deterioration scale
  for assessment of primary degenerative dementia.
  American Journal of Psychiatry. 1391136-1139.
• 8. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (May 10,
  2006). Dementia. Retrieved November 4, 2006, from
  http//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/00
  0739.htmSymptoms.
• 9. About, Inc. (February 20, 2004). Dementia
  treatment. Retrieved November 4, 2006, from
  http//seniorhealth.about.com/cs/alzheimers/a/forg
  etfulness_2.htm.