Therapeutic Communication Skills of Nurses Towards People With Dementia

Abstract

To deliver adequate and successful care to people with dementia, it is important for nurses to be competent in therapeutic communication skills and apply these skills with various communication techniques towards clients with dementia. The purpose of this research was to identify and describe therapeutic communication skills of nurses and nursing students in interacting with people with dementia, and to identify various methods to improve therapeutic communication skills. The aim of this research was to provide information and knowledge for nurses and nursing students on how to enhance their therapeutic communication skills competence when interacting with people with dementia, and how these affect the nurse-patient relationship.

The data for the study were extracted mainly in the EBSCO CINAHL and Academic Search Elite with 10 articles chosen. The research method used was integrative literature review with qualitative content analysis.

The results showed that nonverbal communication skills have positive dominant effects to improve communication with people who suffer from dementia. It was beneficial for nurses to build therapeutic relationship to clients and convey warmth, respect, empathy to their stories and problems. Therefore, nurses can enhance the quality of care of clients as well as identify and meet the client’s needs and demands.

There are several educational communication trainings and communication strategies presented in this thesis. The most important findings of this study indicated that adapting to recommended communication strategies and participating in educational communication training programs aimed for nurses enhance their knowledge and communication skills on therapeutic level in delivering care for persons with dementia. It also demonstrated improvement on general well-being and quality of life towards people with dementia and lessens the burden of nurses during delivery of care.