Module 2 Lesson 2. Improving communication Let’s look at an example Ali is visiting his father who has dementia. When his father wants to describe his morning to Ali, he cannot find the right words. Ali says to his wife in front of his father: “I have no clue what he means!” His wife answers: “Yes, I don’t know either. He is just like a child!” Check your understandingTake the person seriously. Which of the following statements do you think is correct? Check all the responses that you feel are appropriate. Ali should not talk about his father when he is in same the room. John could have said: “It is difficult to understand what you mean.” In addition, he could have asked some questions that his father could have answered with ‘YES’ or ‘NO’. For example: “Have you gone outside this morning?”Ali and his wife could be more patient.Ali and his wife could ask John’s father if it is okay when they try to guess what he wants to say.Check Ali should not talk about his father when his father is in same the room. He could have said, “It is difficult to understand what you mean.” In addition, he could have asked some questions that his father could have answered with ‘YES’ or ‘NO’. For example: “have you gone outside this morning?” Correct! Ali takes his father seriously when trying to understand what he wants to say. Do not talk about the person you care for while they are in the same room. Ali and his wife could be more patient. Correct! It takes people with dementia longer to find the right words and they need time and patience to be understood. Ali and his wife could ask Ali’s father if it is okay when they try to guess what he wants to say. This is a correct answer because some people with dementia appreciate help with finding the right words or fill in sentences. Error: Please select at least one option.Please click ‘check’ to view the answers before continuing.Error: Please type your answers in the text box. Remember It is important to take the person that you are caring for seriously and treat them with respect and dignity. Do not talk about them in their presence. Be patient and give them time to find the right words. When the person you care for is difficult to understand, it may help to ask closed-ended questions that can be answered with YES or NO to understand what they mean.