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Communication between formal caregivers and individuals with Alzheimer's disease

University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado

Donna Bottenberg, PhD

College of Health and Human Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado

Karen A. Roberto, PhD

University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado

Dysfunctional communication, behaviorproblems, and the lack of meaningful exchanges make it difficult for the nursing assistant (NA) to establish a relationship with the nursing home resident who has Alzheimer's disease (AD). As a result, the NA may avoid communication. Long term care is inevitable for many persons with AD. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of verbal and nonverbal communication on the caregiving relationship between the formal caregiver in the nursing home and the person with AD.

The purpose of the study was to describe communication barriers and successes identified by NAs. NAs did not understand resident behaviors such as fearfulness, agitation and wandering. They were also frustrated with the demands of family members. Results indicated that NAs did not have the necessary education orsupportto communicate effectively with the individual with AD and the family, and that training NAs to work more effectively should be a priority for nursing homes.

American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias®, Vol. 8, No. 5, 20-26 (1993)
DOI: 10.1177/153331759300800506


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