Communicating with dementia patients on hospice

Abstract

There are distinct differences in caring for the “typical” hospice patient as opposed to the hospice patient who has Alzheimer’s disease. The entire hospice team, from volunteers to physicians, can benefit from dementia-specific training in this area. This article addresses this topic in terms of what to be aware of in the disease process, understanding and responding to the caregiver’s experience and needs, and, of course, patient care. Particular communication techniques are presented to facilitate interactions with the dementia patient at each of the stages of his or her disease.