Facilitating communication in older adults with Alzheimer's disease: An idiographic approach to communication training program for family caregivers

The loss of verbal repertoires is an inevitable consequence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Communication difficulties are among the most stressful problems family caregivers report. This study employed a multiple baseline across caregiver/care-recipient dyads to evaluate the effects of an individualized approach to caregiver communication training. Four family caregivers were taught to modify specific verbal behaviors to create a non-punitive, supportive communicative environment for their family member with dementia. Coding of audio recordings of dyad conversations in the natural environment indicated that caregivers' verbal behaviors significantly impacted the fluency and coherence of the speech of AD participants. Fewer communication problems occurred within dyads following caregiver training and were maintained at three month follow-up. Results indicate that individualized caregiver communication skills training can create environments that facilitate rather than punish the conversational speech of persons with AD, thereby promoting the preservation of verbal repertoires in persons with AD and meaningful relationships between persons with AD and their families.