"Don't bother talking to residents with dementia.....

[Coffee bean]

they don't understand what your saying anyway",I heard an RN tell one of the students from my CNA program this.I was shocked that she would make such a statement,and it's absolutely untrue.I did not argue but told my fellow student that dementia patients can understand but may not be able to communicate.I'm wondering where in the world gave her the idea that dementia patients can't hear or communicate???????I have seen for myself,(grandmother has alzheimer's)but she can communicate and so can most of the residents that I help care for,it just takes them more time to answer.SMH!!!!!!!

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

Unfortunately, a lot of people have that attitude. People will surprise you, though. I talk to everyone, and I've had people respond (and make sense) after three or four days of not saying anything at all.

[Coffee bean]

I've had the same experience with residents,I decided if I ever get so burned out that I don't take the time to even try to converse with them,I'll find another career before I stop attempting to communicate with them,it was just really sad that a RN (trainer) would tell a student not to bother,really very sad:(

[mvm2]

This is so sad to heaqr this coming from a RN. Many people with dementia can comunicate with you. It is important for them to keep trying, and you to keep trying. Otherwise yes they will loose the ability to comunicate if they don't keep on trying. Some days will be worse then others but you try to keep that conection going for as long as you can. It also is just common courtesy to keep asking them questions especially if it is about personal care or preferances. Sometimes the verbal aspects can not be expressed but they might be able to give you some type of body gesture

[Compassion_x]

That is sad. There are many dementia residents I've had experience with who will follow you crying and asking what's going on, saying they need to go home to their parents or family. You can't ignore that unless you're heartless.

[loriangel14, RN]

Even if they don't fully understand what you are saying they will recognize a friendly tone of voice.

[wirehead]

Never make assumptions. They teach that about coma patients as well, or patients who cannot verbalize, doesn't mean they're not understanding you, seeing your body language when making such a distasteful statement, all patients deserve dignity and respect no matter what their condition!

[boogalina, ADN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN]

Keep talking to patients/residents! You need only avoid doing so if it is agitating the person, or it is time for them to sleep (reduced stimulation/avoidance of delirium). And, it's OK to meet the dementia patient where they live (if a dementia patient is worried about needing to go to work, it's OK to reassure them that their absence will be excused, for example).

[i_love_patient_care]

I had one dementia patient who would not let me take her to her room unless I told her we had a room reservation in her name for the night. She couldn't recognize her room, it was the only way. We would spend time reorienting her on our shift if time allowed it. That is sad the nurse said that.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

Is it possible she meant don't bother trying to reason with them? You should always, always talk to pts with dementia, but you should never try to reason with them because perception is reality. Its very sad that she said that, I hope she was misheard or misunderstood.

[Coffee bean]

Actually we were in the process of feeding the residents that cannot feed themselves,I had fed this lady before so I knew that she could communicate.This resident was just wheeled to the dining room while sleeping and my fellow student looked at me and said she won't wake up to eat,I said talk to her and nudge her a little bit,she'll wake up,that's when the Rn told her not to bother talking to her,she told her to put some food on her lip and that would wake her up,but the student kept talking to her,that's when the RN told her not to bother talking to her she can't understand what your saying,but I believe that she could.She woke up at the end of dinner and by then the student had actually stopped trying to talk to her.ALso,if a resident doesn't eat at specified times,are they offered something later?What if they don't want to eat at noon can they eat and 1:00 instead?

[boogalina, ADN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN]

Actually we were in the process of feeding the residents that cannot feed themselvesI had fed this lady before so I knew that she could communicate.This resident was just wheeled to the dining room while sleeping and my fellow student looked at me and said she won't wake up to eat,I said talk to her and nudge her a little bit,she'll wake up,that's when the Rn told her not to bother talking to her,she told her to put some food on her lip and that would wake her up,but the student kept talking to her,that's when the RN told her not to bother talking to her she can't understand what your saying,but I believe that she could.She woke up at the end of dinner and by then the student had actually stopped trying to talk to her.ALso,if a resident doesn't eat at specified times,are they offered something later?What if they don't want to eat at noon can they eat and 1:00 instead?[/quote']

Oh, yikes, this sounds...awful. No respect for the resident's dignity! I would feel awful is someone did this to me! When I was a CNA, I talked to my residents who needed feeding assistance. Frankly, made the work easier. We were taught in my CNA program to make the dining process pleasant...a pleasant dining experience includes social interaction. The resident in this situation was not sedated or comatose, just sleepy.

Regarding missed meals...usually some snacks are kept on hand for those who need them. Check with the charge nurse for options.