As all of us know, dementia is a major and growing health issue of global concern today. On this blog I have shared a large part of my personal journey on this subject. Since those earlier video blogs I am continuing to hear from caregivers and listening to their needs and experiences with their loved ones.
What I hear is varied because of how this disease expresses itself in different individuals. However, the thread I hear consistently among these caregivers is a need for better communication. From the studies I read and hear about, there is increasing evidence that communication between people with dementia and their care takers is problematic. As I reflect over my eleven year journey I can safely say that our days stayed on a more level emotional pattern once I learned this language.
Often people with dementia are faced with difficulties in word finding, sound production, and reduced fluency. Also, there might be a loss of confidence and some anxiety. They may retain the ability to communicate using short, simple word structures and direct, non-verbal cues.
About midway in our journey, I wrestled with changing my role from a wife of fifty five years. to a caregiver, considering his needs and how the disease had changed him.
Once I submitted to this change, I became a learner of the communications he needed and expected, and situations for us were less stressful.
