Communication
An interactive process between 2 or more people who send and receive
messages to one another
Sender
Person sending message
Receiver
Person receiving message
Factors that affect communication
Personal factors
Emotional factors-mood, response to stress, personal bias
Social factors-previous experience, cultural and language differences
Cognitive factors-problem solving abilities, knowledge level, language
use
Environmental factors
Physical factors-background noise, lack of privacy, and uncomfortable
accommodations
Societal determinants-sociopolitical, historical, and economic factors,
presence and expectations of others
Relationship factors
Status of individuals-social standing, powers, relationship type, and age
Types of communication
Verbal-all of the words a person speaks
Nonverbal-tone of your voice, emphasis on certain words, and manner in which
a person paces their speech
Nonverbal communication
Behavior-Body Behavior
, Possible nonverbal cues- Posture, body movements, gestures, gait
Example-Client is slumped in chair, puts face in hand.
Behavior-Facial Expressions
Possible nonverbal cues- Frowns, smiles, grimaces, raised eyebrows
Example-Client grimaces when speaking to the nurse
Behavior-Voice-Related Behaviors
Possible nonverbal cues- Tone, pitch, level, intensity, inflection, stuttering,
pauses, silence
Example-Client talks in a loud sing-song voice
Behavior-Observable Autonomic Physiological Responses
Possible nonverbal cues-Increase in respirations, diaphoresis, blushing, paleness
Example-When client mentions discharge, client becomes pale, respirations
increase, and face becomes diaphoretic
Behavior-Physical Appearance
Possible nonverbal cues- Grooming, dress, hygiene
Example-Client is dressed in a wrinkled shirt, pants are stained and client is
unshaven.
How the nurse should provide nonverbal communication
Maintain direct eye contact-displays attention and interest in client and what the
client has to say, avoid indirect eye contact
Lean forward and avoid leaning away from client when interacting with client
this displays interest in what client has to say
Sit squarely facing the client this indicates you are paying attention
Maintain and open posture with legs and arms uncrossed, crossed arms and legs
is a sign of blocking communication
When assessing a newly admitted client be on the same level as client, avoid
standing while client is sitting this aides in communication and avoids towering
over the client which can be intimidating
,DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER’S
What is cognition?
The brains ability to process, maintain and use information.
What is Dementia?
Progressive irreversible loss of cognitive function
What is Alzheimer’s?
A type of dementia
How soon can Alzheimer’s be diagnosed?
At age 30
Initially with dementia what is the first thing affected?
Short term memory
Memory impairment is the prominent early sign of dementia. Clients
have difficulty learning new material and forget previously learned
material. Initially, recent (short- term) memory is impaired—for
example, forgetting where certain objects were placed or that food is
cooking on the stove. In later stages, dementia affects remote (long-
term) memory; clients forget the names of adult children, their lifelong
occupations, and even their names. This leads to frustration
Risk Factors for Dementia?
Advanced age (greatest factor), disorders of neurological system, genetic
factors, family history (child may get gene and have 50% chance of
getting it), gender (females)
Is dementia curable?
No but it can be slowed down
Myths for Alzheimer’s
It is not fatal-this is myth because end result is death
Drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots can lead to
alzheimer’s
, Aspartame-artificial sugar cause memory loss
Flu shots increase risk of Alzheimer’s
Silver dental fillings increase risk of Alzheimer’s
Treatments available to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s
Cognitive disturbances seen with Dementia?
Aphasia-deterioration in language function
Apraxia-impaired motor function
Agnosia-inability to recognize objects
Disturbance in executive functioning-inability to think abstractly, plan,
initiate, monitor, sequence and stop complex behavior
Changes in brain with dementia
Shrinkage in cerebral cortex and hippocampus and enlarged ventricles
Stages of Dementia
Mild: *Forgetfulness* is the hallmark of beginning, mild dementia. It exceeds
the normal, occasional forgetfulness experienced as part of the aging process.
The person has difficulty finding words, frequently loses objects, and begins to
experience anxiety about these losses. Occupational and social settings are less
enjoyable, and the person may avoid them. Most people remain in the
community during this stage.
Moderate: *Confusion* is apparent, along with progressive memory loss. The
person no longer can perform complex tasks but remains oriented to person and
place. He or she still recognizes familiar people. Toward the end of this stage, the
person loses the ability to live independently and requires assistance because of
disorientation to time and loss of information such as address and telephone
number. The person may remain in the community if adequate caregiver
support is available, but some people move to supervised living situations.
Severe: *Personality and emotional changes* occur. The person may be
delusional, wander at night, forget the names of his or her spouse and children,
and require assistance in activities of daily living (ADLs). Most people live in
nursing facilities when they reach this stage unless extraordinary community
support is available
Progression of Alzeimer’s
An interactive process between 2 or more people who send and receive
messages to one another
Sender
Person sending message
Receiver
Person receiving message
Factors that affect communication
Personal factors
Emotional factors-mood, response to stress, personal bias
Social factors-previous experience, cultural and language differences
Cognitive factors-problem solving abilities, knowledge level, language
use
Environmental factors
Physical factors-background noise, lack of privacy, and uncomfortable
accommodations
Societal determinants-sociopolitical, historical, and economic factors,
presence and expectations of others
Relationship factors
Status of individuals-social standing, powers, relationship type, and age
Types of communication
Verbal-all of the words a person speaks
Nonverbal-tone of your voice, emphasis on certain words, and manner in which
a person paces their speech
Nonverbal communication
Behavior-Body Behavior
, Possible nonverbal cues- Posture, body movements, gestures, gait
Example-Client is slumped in chair, puts face in hand.
Behavior-Facial Expressions
Possible nonverbal cues- Frowns, smiles, grimaces, raised eyebrows
Example-Client grimaces when speaking to the nurse
Behavior-Voice-Related Behaviors
Possible nonverbal cues- Tone, pitch, level, intensity, inflection, stuttering,
pauses, silence
Example-Client talks in a loud sing-song voice
Behavior-Observable Autonomic Physiological Responses
Possible nonverbal cues-Increase in respirations, diaphoresis, blushing, paleness
Example-When client mentions discharge, client becomes pale, respirations
increase, and face becomes diaphoretic
Behavior-Physical Appearance
Possible nonverbal cues- Grooming, dress, hygiene
Example-Client is dressed in a wrinkled shirt, pants are stained and client is
unshaven.
How the nurse should provide nonverbal communication
Maintain direct eye contact-displays attention and interest in client and what the
client has to say, avoid indirect eye contact
Lean forward and avoid leaning away from client when interacting with client
this displays interest in what client has to say
Sit squarely facing the client this indicates you are paying attention
Maintain and open posture with legs and arms uncrossed, crossed arms and legs
is a sign of blocking communication
When assessing a newly admitted client be on the same level as client, avoid
standing while client is sitting this aides in communication and avoids towering
over the client which can be intimidating
,DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER’S
What is cognition?
The brains ability to process, maintain and use information.
What is Dementia?
Progressive irreversible loss of cognitive function
What is Alzheimer’s?
A type of dementia
How soon can Alzheimer’s be diagnosed?
At age 30
Initially with dementia what is the first thing affected?
Short term memory
Memory impairment is the prominent early sign of dementia. Clients
have difficulty learning new material and forget previously learned
material. Initially, recent (short- term) memory is impaired—for
example, forgetting where certain objects were placed or that food is
cooking on the stove. In later stages, dementia affects remote (long-
term) memory; clients forget the names of adult children, their lifelong
occupations, and even their names. This leads to frustration
Risk Factors for Dementia?
Advanced age (greatest factor), disorders of neurological system, genetic
factors, family history (child may get gene and have 50% chance of
getting it), gender (females)
Is dementia curable?
No but it can be slowed down
Myths for Alzheimer’s
It is not fatal-this is myth because end result is death
Drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots can lead to
alzheimer’s
, Aspartame-artificial sugar cause memory loss
Flu shots increase risk of Alzheimer’s
Silver dental fillings increase risk of Alzheimer’s
Treatments available to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s
Cognitive disturbances seen with Dementia?
Aphasia-deterioration in language function
Apraxia-impaired motor function
Agnosia-inability to recognize objects
Disturbance in executive functioning-inability to think abstractly, plan,
initiate, monitor, sequence and stop complex behavior
Changes in brain with dementia
Shrinkage in cerebral cortex and hippocampus and enlarged ventricles
Stages of Dementia
Mild: *Forgetfulness* is the hallmark of beginning, mild dementia. It exceeds
the normal, occasional forgetfulness experienced as part of the aging process.
The person has difficulty finding words, frequently loses objects, and begins to
experience anxiety about these losses. Occupational and social settings are less
enjoyable, and the person may avoid them. Most people remain in the
community during this stage.
Moderate: *Confusion* is apparent, along with progressive memory loss. The
person no longer can perform complex tasks but remains oriented to person and
place. He or she still recognizes familiar people. Toward the end of this stage, the
person loses the ability to live independently and requires assistance because of
disorientation to time and loss of information such as address and telephone
number. The person may remain in the community if adequate caregiver
support is available, but some people move to supervised living situations.
Severe: *Personality and emotional changes* occur. The person may be
delusional, wander at night, forget the names of his or her spouse and children,
and require assistance in activities of daily living (ADLs). Most people live in
nursing facilities when they reach this stage unless extraordinary community
support is available
Progression of Alzeimer’s
