Understand and enable interaction and communication with individuals who have dementia
Unit code: Dem 312
1. Understand the factors that can affect interaction and communication of individuals with dementia
1.2 Explain how physical and mental health factors may need to be consider when communicating with an individual who has dementia. There are many factors to consider such as pain, pain can cause misunderstandings as individuals may be in so much discomfort they cannot what they want and how they are feeling. Depression can closely link with dementia and sometimes are mistaken for one another, if a resident has depression they may not want to communicate with other people which may force them to become more secluded and withdrawn unless correct help is introduced. Non-verbal communication may be present with some individuals; this is a factor to be considered. Non-verbal may be in the form of gestures, facial expressions and touch this is important for people with dementia who have lost or are losing their language skills. Mental health factors can be linked to aggression, if a resident can cause harm to self or others changes the way we approach that person.
1.3 Describe how to support different communication abilities and needs of an individual with dementia who has sensory impairment. Sensory impairment could come in the form of loss of hearing or sight or partial loss of these factors. Ways to support these impairments could be the environment, background noise could be a factor which makes communication difficult for an individual they may find it hard to hear you talk or unable to communicate. Lighting may affect communication if a pace is too bright or not well lit then it may confuse a resident as they are unable to see and concentrate on what is being said. Is there any other distractions around that could confuse the service user such as music or activities full concentration may be needed. Sensory impairment may require the