3 Examples of Cognitive Barriers to Communication 

1. Dementia
2. Delirium
3. Schizophrenia

5 Examples of losses associated with

Cognitive Impairment

Short term memory 

Judgement

Reasoning

Foresight/Planning

Language Skills

Characteristics of Dementia

Loss of memory is gradual

Level of Consciousness varies

Cognitive Impairment

Executive Functioning decreases

Care needs increase

4 Examples of Dementia

Alzheimer's Disease

Lewy Bodies

Vascular

Wernicke-Korsakoff _Degenerative brain disorder which results from alcohol abuse.

4 Examples of Co-morbidities of Dementia 

Parkinson's Disease

Huntington's Disease

AIDS

TBI

Facilitating Communication

with Dementia Patients

Maintain routine for patient

Familiar setting

Maintain Patterns

Ensure Safety

Ways to enhance communication

with Dementia patients

Offer your full presence

Be aware of your body language

Use sequential order

Touch can sometimes benefit

Behaviors may need to be interpreted

What methods are used to prevent the progression of dementia?

Regular brain exercise

Proper nutrition and medications

Benefits of communicating with

Dementia patients

Promotes resident satisfaction

Preserve integrity

Helps to bridge the gap for nursing home residents between home and communal living

Improves job satisfaction for staff

5 R's of communicating with aggressive behavior

Respond to what the person feels

Reassure the person that they're safe

Remain calmly with the person

Remove stressors or yourself

Return when the person calms down

Characteristics of Delirium

Acute state with rapid onset

Confusion

Waxes and Wanes

Level of consciousness altered

Delirium: Acute Confusion

Affects 80% of med/surg hospitalized elderly

Affects 10% of all med/surg patients

Common diagnosis in cancer patients

Causes of Delirium

• Physical conditions
• Alcohol Withdrawal 
• Malnutrition
• Medications

Types of Delirium

• Hyperactive
• Hypoactive
• Mixed