The aim of this content focus area is to present the effect of dementia on
the ability of the person with dementia to communicate with others.
Outcome
By the end of this content focus area students will be able to understand the effect
of dementia on communication
Effect of Dementia on Communication
Because the disease process in dementia results in progressive destruction of brain
tissue, areas in the brain that are responsible for sending, receiving and interpreting
communication messages are progressively affected (Alzheimer's Australia, 2005a;
Alzheimer's Australia, 2005b). It is important to remember that communication may be
verbal or non verbal, so people with dementia who have lost their ability to verbally
communicate effectively may resort to alternate ways of communicating their needs such
as yelling out, hitting or other forms of challenging behaviours. Challenging behaviours
may also occur as the person with dementia becomes unable to correctly interpret
communication messages from others (Morris, nd., 7 of 17). Significantly, as
destruction of brain tissue progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult for the
person with dementia to communicate so great skill is needed by health care
practitioners to promote optimal channels of communication.
Answers: Finding the right word to express ideas may be difficult; speech
may be smooth and effortless but does not make sense to the listener; the
person does not appear to understand any or part of what is said to them;
the person does not respond appropriately during a conversation with others;
the person may not express their emotions in a socially expected manner.
Answers: The person with dementia may also have co-existing problems such as
hearing deficits, or vision deficits associated with the ageing process.
Additionally, being aware of co-existing medical conditions such as Diabetes
mellitus may alert the health care practitioner to assess for vision deficits
associated with this condition such as cataracts or retinal damage. Because
cerebro-vascular accidents (CVAs) can be a risk factor for dementia (called
multi-infarct or vascular dementia), the health care practitioner should be
aware that possible damage to the brain caused by a CVA or a number of these,
can impact on the ability of a person to speak or interpret speech accurately.
Communication in Dementia Care