Communication Strategies Flashcards

Which statement best describes the goal of 'person-centered language' in dementia communication?

Answer: Using language that affirms identity, dignity, and individuality beyond the diagnosis

Person-centered language places the individual before the diagnosis and affirms their continued identity and worth.

A person with dementia points to an object but cannot name it (anomia). The caregiver should:

Answer: Supply the word naturally in context without drawing attention to the deficit

Supplying the word naturally preserves conversational flow and avoids highlighting the loss, reducing frustration.

Which scenario demonstrates 'therapeutic fibbing' as an ethical communication strategy?

Answer: Telling a resident looking for her mother that her mother called and said everything is fine

Telling a resident her mother called addresses the emotional need without repeatedly forcing her to confront a loss she cannot retain.

In dementia care, 'life story work' improves communication primarily by:

Answer: Giving caregivers knowledge of personal references that can bridge connection and calm

Knowledge of a person's life story gives caregivers access to meaningful topics, names, and references that resonate and build trust.

Which element of nonverbal communication is MOST important to monitor when interacting with a person who has advanced dementia?

Answer: The person's facial expression and body posture as indicators of comfort or distress

Facial expression and body posture are the primary channels through which a person with advanced dementia expresses emotional states.

The BEST way to handle a communication breakdown where a person with dementia cannot understand your message is to:

Answer: Rephrase using simpler words, a gesture, or demonstrate the action yourself

Rephrasing with simpler language, gestures, or demonstration offers alternative processing pathways when the original form fails.

During a care interaction a dementia patient says 'I want to go home' despite living at home. This most likely expresses:

Answer: A longing for safety, comfort, or a sense of belonging from an earlier time

'I want to go home' typically expresses an unmet emotional need for security or familiarity rather than a literal geographic wish.