How to Communicate When Someone is Living With Dementia

Course overview

This session will help learners develop better interaction skills when working with people with Dementia and their families. The goal of this course is to enhance treatment session outcomes and quality of life for those living life with some form of Dementia within their support systems. Emphasis is placed on the value of recognizing changing abilities that impact interaction and performance skills. Utilizing the dementia state 'GEMS' assessment model and modifying communication strategies, learners will be able to make better use of retained abilities while acknowledging unrealistic expectations due to dementia. Professionals will be better able to help themselves, as well as guide families and staff they work with, reduce or minimize unproductive conversations and 'refusals and resistive' behaviors by using more effective verbal and non-verbal communication and 'approach techniques'.