Communicating with a Cognitive Level Impaired Patient

Today I took care of Mr. L, who was 85 years-old and suffered from decreased mobility levels due to a stroke. He also had the first stage of dementia. He rested in bed in the morning. According to the care plan, I planned on assisting him to sit in a chair for lunch. I came to him at 1130 hrs and asked “Would you like to get up and sit in the chair for lunch?” The patient answered: “I just like to stay in my bed”. I said “OK” and left the room. As a dementia patient, he had very limited short term memory. I came to him again 20 minuets later and ask him “Mr. L, lunch is coming, which chair would you like to sit in? The wheelchair or the chair beside your bed?” He said “I want to sit in the wheelchair, so I can stay in the lounge room for my lunch”. With that, I helped him sit in the wheelchair and took him to the lounge room.

It is a challenge for caregivers to communicate with cognitive level impaired patients. We always need to use communication strategies. In this case I offered him alternative choices, which was either sitting in the wheel chair or the chair beside his bed, and it worked very well. This strategy is simple and effective. I hope my story gives you some ideas about giving care to dementia patients.

The Coin's Other Side- A Positive Look at Dementia