Conversation helps people with dementia

Jun 3 2008

Researchers in Britain conducting a study of people with dementia living in residential and nursing homes, say talking helps patients with dementia.

The study by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) highlights the importance of conversation in preventing people from becoming withdrawn.

The CSCI along with the University of Bradford, developed a new way of inspecting the communication skills of staff in care homes.

By using the new technique to examine interactions between staff and people with dementia at 100 residential and nursing homes across England, the CSCI data showed a significant relationship between people being in a happy and relaxed mood and being engaged with the world around them.

The CSCI data found 23 homes had low levels of communication where people with dementia spent 50% or less of the time communicating with staff and although 64% of all communications in the study were judged as positive, 28% were neutral, and 8% were negative, meaning they were demeaning or disrespectful to the person.

Eighteen of the homes were also advised by inspectors about statutory requirements with regard to maintaining people's privacy and dignity.

According to the report people who are involved in more activities and communicate with others experience a greater proportion of time in a positive frame of mind.

The researchers say the finding underlines the importance of opportunities for meaningful activity in care homes.

They say anxiety, anger and shame are the emotional undercurrents which accompany dementia and negative or uncaring communication can intensify such feelings, whereas positive communication provides a sense of safety and acceptance.

The new technique, the Short Observational Framework Inspection (SOFI), looks at people's emotional well-being, who and what they are engaged with during the day, and how staff relate to them.

The team looked at a total of 424 people with moderate to advanced dementia during periods of relative activity.

Experts say the quality of life for people with dementia living in care homes is greatly affected by the way in which care staff communicate and empathise with them.

The CSCI says people with dementia are often unable to communicate easily and the new way of inspecting is unique in that it looks beyond the surface of routine care practice to understand people's emotional well being, and how staff relate to them.

Two thirds of people living in care homes have a form of dementia and experts say it is important that the health and social services plan for the needs of older people who do not have a support network of friends and family.