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Memory and communication support in dementia: research-based strategies for caregivers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 September 2010

Erin R. Smith ,
Megan Broughton ,
Rosemary Baker ,
Nancy A. Pachana ,
Anthony J. Angwin ,
Michael S. Humphreys ,
Leander Mitchell ,
Gerard J. Byrne ,
David A. Copland  and
Cindy Gallois
...Show all authors
Erin R. Smith*
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Brisbane, Australia
Megan Broughton
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Brisbane, Australia
Rosemary Baker
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Brisbane, Australia
Nancy A. Pachana
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Psychology, Brisbane, Australia
Anthony J. Angwin
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Brisbane, Australia
Michael S. Humphreys
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Psychology, Brisbane, Australia
Leander Mitchell
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Psychology, Brisbane, Australia
Gerard J. Byrne
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia
David A. Copland
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Brisbane, Australia The University of Queensland, Centre for Clinical Research, Brisbane, Australia
Cindy Gallois
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Psychology, Brisbane, Australia
Desley Hegney
Affiliation:
Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore The University of Queensland, Faculty of Health Sciences, Brisbane, Australia
Helen J. Chenery
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, Faculty of Health Sciences, Brisbane, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr Erin Smith, Division of Speech Pathology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4072, Australia. Phone: +61 7 3346 7451; Fax: +61 7 3365 1877. Email: e.smith1@uq.edu.au.
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Abstract

Background: Difficulties with memory and communication are prominent and distressing features of dementia which impact on the person with dementia and contribute to caregiver stress and burden. There is a need to provide caregivers with strategies to support and maximize memory and communication abilities in people with dementia. In this project, a team of clinicians, researchers and educators in neuropsychology, psychogeriatrics, nursing and speech pathology translated research-based knowledge from these fields into a program of practical strategies for everyday use by family and professional caregivers.

Methods: From the available research evidence, the project team identified compensatory or facilitative strategies to assist with common areas of difficulty, and structured these under the mnemonics RECAPS (for memory) and MESSAGE (for communication). This information was adapted for presentation in a DVD-based education program in accordance with known characteristics of effective caregiver education.

Results: The resultant DVD comprises (1) information on the nature and importance of memory and communication in everyday life; (2) explanations of common patterns of difficulty and preserved ability in memory and communication across the stages of dementia; (3) acted vignettes demonstrating the strategies, based on authentic samples of speech in dementia; and (4) scenarios to prompt the viewer to consider the benefits of using the strategies.

Conclusion: Using a knowledge-translation framework, information and strategies can be provided to family and professional caregivers to help them optimize residual memory and communication in people with dementia. Future development of the materials, incorporating consumer feedback, will focus on methods for enabling wider dissemination.

Keywords

aged careknowledge translationnursingcommunity carecognitive rehabilitationcommunication skills
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 23 , Issue 2 , March 2011 , pp. 256 - 263
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2010

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