Communicating with the Alzheimer's Resident

Abstract

Optimal quality of care for long term residents, especially those suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD), has been linked to meaningful and rewarding communication with staff care givers. However, the precise methods of effective, supportive communication used by care providers of persons with AD have not been identified. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate caregivers' perceptions of communication used in dementia-specific community residential facilities. Eight care providers were interviewed and asked a series of in-depth, semistructured questions regarding their communication experiences with AD residents. Employing features of grounded theory methodology, all interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were coded using an open-coding technique followed by selective coding processes. Results merged into two core categories: (1) Compliance Gaining Strategies and (2) Learning the Language. Results indicated that care providers used several communication strategies that are advocated in the literature, but that they also employed creative techniques that have not been previously emphasized. While interesting, these strategies have yet to be validated. As such, discussion points focus on future research needed to verify these communication tactics.