Learn Dementia Communication Tips: Iowa Family Caregiver Program

As a family member caring for an aging parent or loved one, you face challenges. The challenges are even greater if your loved one has dementia. Older adults with dementia typically need long term care.

Family caregivers often provide personal care because they want to help their loved one stay home. Good home care delays assisted living or a nursing home. To help you navigate this personal care, we discuss:

• The unique challenges of caring for someone with dementia
• Tips for communicating with a care recipient with dementia
• Iowa resources for family caregivers

If you reside in Iowa, you have free access to Trualta for even more caregiving resources. If you live in another state, you can check if you also have free access to Trualta.

What Are The Challenges Of Family Caregiving With Dementia? 

Dementia involves memory loss and other cognitive difficulties. It isn’t a single disease. Dementia describes symptoms caused by diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Between 5% and 8% of adults over 65 have some type of dementia. 

There are many challenges in providing care for older adults. Providing care services for someone with dementia is uniquely challenging for several reasons: 

• Patients with dementia need help with very basic daily tasks. 
• Safety is a significant concern with dementia patients. 
• People with dementia often have mood swings and behavior changes. 
• Memory loss and other symptoms make communication more difficult. 

Communication Tips For Caregivers

Communication is one of the biggest challenges in providing care for someone with dementia. Dementia affects memory, mood, behaviors, language, and decision-making, which affects the person’s ability to communicate. 

Good communication makes the job of caregiving easier and less stressful. It also improves the quality of care services. Take the time to learn some strategies.

Minimize Distractions

Limit distractions when talking to your family member with dementia. Turn off the television and other devices. Move to a quieter area, if necessary, such as when other people are around. Get their attention. Use verbal cues or touch to keep them focused on you while you talk. 

Speak Clearly & Simply

Use short sentences and simple words. Don’t replace names with pronouns or abbreviations. Speak slowly and clearly. Look at your loved one when speaking. If they don’t understand, try rephrasing your message. Try again, speaking more slowly. Take a few minutes before repeating again. 

Ask Questions That Are Easy To Answer

When you need to ask your loved one questions, keep it very simple. Ask one question at a time. As much as possible, use questions that only require a yes or no answer. For example, instead of asking what do you want to do today? Ask, would you like to go for a walk today? 

Distract & Try Again Later

If communication isn’t going well, your family member may be frustrated or angry. Redirect them. Distract them with something positive. Suggest an activity they enjoy. Try talking again later once their mood has improved. 

Be Positive & Respectful

It’s easy to get frustrated as a primary caregiver for someone with dementia, especially when communication isn’t going well. Try to remember the difficulties they’re experiencing and how that must feel. 

You’ll get better results if you can control your frustrations and remain positive. Speak to them in a pleasant way. Use body language and facial expressions that show you are calm and happy, even if you don’t feel it. Be patient and avoid raising your voice or showing anger. 

Iowa Family Caregiver Programs & Additional Resources

Many older Iowans have dementia symptoms and need home care. They’re often cared for by unpaid family caregivers. Use these family caregiver resources to find the support you need: 

• Iowa State University. Iowa State offers caregiver classes on many topics. Many could be helpful, but the workshop on Communicating in Challenging Situations would be great for anyone providing dementia personal care. 
• Iowa Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Find your local AAA, which covers all areas of the state. Your AAA provides many resources. For example, Aging Resources of Central Iowa has a family caregiver program. It includes a caregiver support line, respite care, and information on financial resources. 
• Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Iowa HHS offers several resources for family caregiving, including Trualta. Contact the department for information on home care, respite care, caregiver support groups, adult day care, financial assistance, and more. 
• Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Association offers resources nationwide. Use the 24-hour caregiver support line, join community support groups, and connect with educational resources. 

Family caregiver support is so important in all situations, but especially with dementia. For more information and resources, check out Trualta’s library of articles. If you reside in Iowa, you have free access to Trualta. If you live in another state, you can check if you also have free access to Trualta.

References

1. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9170-dementia
3. https://www.cdss.ca.gov/agedblinddisabled/res/VPTC2/12%20Working%20With%20Consumers%20with%20Disabilities/Ten_Tips_Communicating_Dementia.pdf
4. https://www.alz.org/media/gwwi/images/communication-strategies-and-complex-behaviors-handout-jkrainer.pdf
5. https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/ptc
6. https://hhs.iowa.gov/aging-services/aaas