Communication with Alzheimer's patients: an analysis of caregiver listening patterns

Alzheimer's Disease is the leading cause of dementia in today's aging population. Behavioral manifestations of this illness have been studied primarily by focusing on diagnostic and assessment tests. Communication studies have emphasized identification of speech and language deficits, and little attention has been given to communication processes that are still in place. This study addresses caregiver listening responses as they occur in conversations with an Alzheimer's patient. This project videotaped twenty-six episodes of conversations between caregivers in an adult day health care setting. The dialogue was transcribed (enhanced by the use of video-taped data) and analyzed for caregiver listening responses. Frame analysis was used to identify several categories of caregiver's responses to the patient's message. In addition, this study found that sensitive listening and partial entry into the patient's frame (reality) may be an effective response to prevent behavior and anxiety related outbursts. This study also found that videotaping of natural conversations and frame analysis can be useful tools for continued study in the treatment and care of Alzheimer's patients.