Dementia: Behavior and Communication

Do you ever wonder about the motivations behind ‘problem’ or ‘maladaptive’ behaviors in individuals in your care?

By approaching all behavior as communication, we can listen to what an individual may be trying to tell us, discover the reasons behind their behavior, and take steps to meet the needs or concerns behind it.

As dementia progresses, the person's ability to communicate will be increasingly impaired. Caregivers need to recognize that individuals in their care have varying abilities to communicate and to find ways to help them compensate.