Communication Models in Care – Week 1
Hi all for week 1 discussion I reflected on being an aged care worker and applying features of each communication model from lecture 1 and the Dementia Australia Language guidelines PDF. I haven’t referenced sources for the discussion group, just that they’re from lecture 1 and Dementia Australia.
I’m learning to be caring and conscientious when it comes to planning, organising, and delivering care to people with dementia (information transfer model of communication). Myself and the person living with dementia exchange communication as to how to achieve tasks, such as getting dressed for example (transactional communication).
When providing support, I encourage the person with dementia to meet their daily personal care goals, such as taking a shower or exercising (persuasion model of communication). We can discuss the tasks together and work out a routine around what suits circumstances. I might have to take the lead if there is a time schedule to follow, though mostly I can be flexible in working with a time that suits the person I’m caring for.
Verbal and nonverbal communication are part of our everyday communication, such as speech, eye contact, body language and posture. These all convey information such as contentedness, connectivity, empathy, humour, or frustration, stress, worry, apprehension or fear (Interactive model of communication and Interaction adaptation theory).
The impact of caring for a person with dementia can be life changing in many ways. One way it has changed my life is that I’ve learned to be more patient and to adapt my communication to support the needs of the person I’m caring for. This includes identifying factors which may impact their communication such as unmet needs, frustration, difficulty speaking, reduced vision and other symptoms of dementia.
Due to symptoms of dementia, a person may not be able to reliably adapt their behaviours to a given situation (Interaction adaptation theory) or identify why a carer or relative behaves in a certain way based on social or cultural norms (expectancy violation theory). This might result in expressions of frustration or anger. A carer or relative can modify behaviour, expectations, and environment to better meet the needs of the person with dementia.
In working with clients over longer periods of time, elements of understanding (personal field of meaning) and receptivity (shared field of meaning) develop between myself and the people I care for (interaction adaptation model of communication). Each person is a unique individual with preferred learning and communication styles and likes, dislikes, hopes, dreams, and goals!
It takes a collaborative effort from health and community services and family care givers alike to provide great care for a person living with dementia (Community and Communication model).
2nd reflection – subject 2
In my role I see clients with dementia highly value their own decision making capabilities through the stages of dementia. Care plans are an ally in helping facilitate environments and experiences where clients continue to have their say on how care is delivered daily – this is vital to meeting the charter of aged care rights and aged care quality standards for people living with dementia.
The people I care for inspire me! I love hearing their memories and life experiences, even if I hear them a few times, I can learn what is of value to a person, what inspires them, and what they’re skilled at, which gives me ideas about activities we can do together in the future. For example, if a person loved going to lunch every Friday with work colleagues, we could plan to carry on the tradition of going to lunch on Fridays.
Carers don’t always know if there is a gap between what is going on in a person’s inner world, and their ability to communicate their thoughts, and so positive and affirming communication strategies – shared dialogue, giving time for responses, listening, and noting verbal and nonverbal cues, make up successful modes of communication. Poor modes of communication are shaming, belittling, or talking about clients as if they’re not in the room, these aren’t acceptable. Good communication helps clients maintain their sense of wellbeing and self-esteem.
If the symptoms of dementia cause frustration or angry behaviours, then compassion, empathy and support can build trust and help regulation of emotions. People might not think a person will remember if they’re treated kindly or not with dementia, but I have a theory that a person’s limbic system and other parts of the brain will register and recall what is going on in the environment.