Communication and Person-Centered Care Flashcards
7 cards from real ACC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Communication and Person-Centered Care flashcards as text
Elderspeak — using baby talk, sing-song tones, or overly simplified language with older adults — is problematic because it:
Answer: Communicates disrespect and can increase agitation and decline in function
Elderspeak sends a message of incompetence, which undermines dignity and has been linked to worse outcomes.
A person with Alzheimer's is upset and crying but cannot explain why. The caregiver's priority is to:
Answer: Sit quietly nearby, offer a calm presence, and gently acknowledge the distress
Providing a calm, empathetic presence without demanding explanation validates the emotion and can soothe without words.
When approaching a person with Alzheimer's who has limited peripheral vision, the caregiver should:
Answer: Approach slowly from the front, making eye contact before touching
A front approach with gradual entry prevents startle reactions that can trigger fear or aggression.
A family member says they want their loved one placed back in reality when they talk about the past as if it's the present. The caregiver should explain that:
Answer: Gentle redirection into their felt reality often reduces distress and preserves dignity
Repeatedly correcting someone with Alzheimer's about time and place often causes distress without improving orientation.
The concept of 'remaining abilities' in person-centered dementia care means:
Answer: Identifying and supporting skills the person still has to promote independence and self-worth
Emphasizing remaining abilities rather than deficits fosters dignity, engagement, and a sense of purpose.
Why is it important to reduce background noise and distractions when communicating with a person who has Alzheimer's?
Answer: The brain with Alzheimer's has difficulty filtering competing sensory input, making communication harder
Dementia impairs the ability to filter sensory input, so competing sounds make it much harder to attend to and process speech.
When a person with Alzheimer's says 'I want to go home' while already at home, this most likely means they are:
Answer: Experiencing a desire for safety, familiarity, comfort, or connection from an earlier time
'Home' often represents an emotional state of security and belonging rather than a specific physical place.