How Should I Respond to Someone That Asks The Same Question Over and Over?
TLDRThe webinar transcript focuses on strategies for responding to repetitive questions from individuals with dementia. It introduces the GEM State model to understand the varying stages and behaviors of dementia. The video emphasizes the importance of active listening, reflection, and connection with the individual, and offers techniques for redirecting conversations when repetitiveness occurs. The role plays demonstrate how to handle different Gem States, highlighting the need for a team approach in care and the significance of understanding and meeting emotional and sensory needs.
Takeaways
- 🌟 Understanding Gem States: Recognize different stages of dementia through the Gem State model, which categorizes individuals into Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Amber, Ruby, and Pearl states based on their cognitive abilities and communication patterns.
- 🤔 Responding to Repetition: When dealing with repetitive questions, it's crucial to identify the Gem State of the individual to tailor the response effectively, considering their current cognitive abilities and emotional needs.
- 👂 Active Listening: Practice active listening by reflecting back what the person has said, matching their emotional intensity, and offering validation and support without immediately trying to correct or redirect the conversation.
- 🚫 Avoiding Frustration: Refrain from becoming frustrated when a person with dementia repeats themselves; instead, focus on understanding the underlying needs or emotions that drive the repetition.
- 🌈 Redirecting Conversation: When appropriate, gently redirect the conversation by introducing new topics or ideas that are still connected to the individual's focus, without disregarding their original concerns.
- 🤝 Team Approach: Utilize a team approach in care, especially when dealing with repetitive behaviors or high-intensity situations, to ensure that no single caregiver is overwhelmed and to provide the best support for the individual.
- 📝 Communication Strategies: Develop strategies for communication that go beyond verbal cues, such as using visual aids or body language, to better connect with individuals who may struggle with language or word recall.
- 💡 Unmet Needs: Identify and address unmet emotional or sensory needs that may be causing distress and repetition, such as seeking companionship, comfort, or a sense of belonging.
- 🌐 Environment Adjustment: Adapt the environment to support the individual's needs, such as placing tissues within reach for someone with a runny nose, to reduce frustration and increase comfort.
- 💌 External Validation: Offer external validation and support, such as writing letters or messages, to help the individual feel heard and understood when they express concerns or feelings of being misplaced or misunderstood.
Q & A
What is the main focus of the webinar discussed in the transcript?
-The main focus of the webinar is on how to respond when someone with dementia asks the same question repeatedly. It discusses various strategies and approaches to better support and communicate with individuals living with dementia.
What are the 'gem states' mentioned in the transcript and how do they relate to dementia care?
-The 'gem states' are a model created to describe the progression of dementia, seeing individuals as precious and unique with different characteristics. The states include Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Amber, Ruby, and Pearl, each representing a different stage and set of abilities in the progression of dementia.
How does the webinar suggest we should respond to repetitive questions or statements from individuals with dementia?
-The webinar suggests responding by first connecting with the person, reflecting back what they've said, making an offer based on their needs, interjecting a new thought, and only then seeking to redirect or distract the conversation if necessary.
What is the significance of understanding a person's 'gem state' in dementia care?
-Understanding a person's 'gem state' is crucial because it helps caregivers tailor their approach and strategies to best support the individual. It allows them to provide the right support, care, and environment for the person based on their current stage and abilities in dementia.
How does the webinar address the issue of care partner's distress when dealing with repetitive questions?
-The webinar acknowledges that dealing with repetitive questions can be distressing for care partners. It encourages them to consider the person's 'gem state' and use strategies explored in the webinar to better support the individual with dementia, which in turn can alleviate some of the care partner's stress.
What is an example of a strategy discussed in the webinar for dealing with repetitive questions?
-One strategy discussed is the use of 'redirection' where the care partner honors the focus of the person's conversation while shifting to a different or safer topic, instead of changing the subject abruptly, which can leave the person feeling unheard or misunderstood.
How does the webinar handle the concept of 'PPA' in communication with individuals with dementia?
-The webinar introduces 'PPA' as a method of communication which stands for 'Participate, Preserve, and Abandon'. It suggests that care partners should participate by being present, preserve the person's dignity and abilities, and abandon their own needs and expectations in the moment of interaction.
What role does the environment play in interactions with individuals in the 'Amber' gem state?
-In the 'Amber' state, the environment plays a significant role as individuals may have high sensory needs and intolerances. Care partners are encouraged to observe and adjust the environment to meet these sensory needs and help the individual feel more comfortable.
What is the importance of a team approach in caring for individuals with dementia as highlighted in the webinar?
-A team approach is crucial as it allows for sharing of information and strategies among care partners. It prevents one person from becoming overwhelmed and provides the individual with dementia with multiple support points, ensuring that their needs can be met from different angles.
How does the webinar address the emotional needs of individuals with dementia?
-The webinar emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing the emotional needs of individuals with dementia. It suggests using reflective listening and validating their feelings as a way to build trust and provide comfort, especially when they express distress or repetitive questions about their situation.
Outlines
🌟 Introduction to the Webinar on Responding to Repetitive Questions
Rebecca Wilson introduces the webinar on how to respond when someone asks the same question repeatedly. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the gem state of the person with dementia and encourages viewers to consider strategies for supporting those living with dementia. Rebecca explains the gem state model, which describes different stages of dementia based on the precious gem metaphor, highlighting the need for appropriate support and care.
💡 Understanding Gem States and Communication Strategies
The webinar continues with a discussion on understanding the gem state of the person with dementia. Rebecca uses the gem state model to explain how to approach and communicate with individuals at different stages of the condition. She provides examples of conversational abilities for each gem state and demonstrates how to handle repetitive questions or statements by using strategies that respect the person's current state and needs.
🌈 Role Play: Interactions with a Diamond State Individual
Rebecca and Alejandro engage in a role play to illustrate interactions with someone in the diamond state. They demonstrate how to navigate conversations around repetitive topics, such as a painting, by using reflection and redirection techniques. The role play highlights the importance of understanding the person's focus and emotional state, and adjusting communication strategies accordingly.
🎭 Role Play Analysis: Responding to Repetitive Inquiries
After the role play, Rebecca pauses to analyze the interaction and gather insights from the audience. They discuss Alejandro's behavior and Rebecca's strategies in responding to repetitive questions. The discussion emphasizes the need to let go of the painting topic and the importance of understanding the emotional triggers that lead to repetitive conversations.
🌟 Transitioning from Diamond to Emerald State
Rebecca transitions from the diamond state to the emerald state, noting the change in communication patterns. She explains how individuals in the emerald state may become confused with time and space, leading to repetitive questioning. Rebecca introduces a hand tool to help understand and retain information, and outlines steps for responding to repetitive questions, including connecting, reflecting, offering, interjecting, and seeking.
💡 Applying the Five-Step Communication Method
Rebecca demonstrates how to apply the five-step communication method with someone in the emerald state. She uses a role play where she struggles to find the right words, illustrating the importance of connecting, reflecting, and offering before redirecting the conversation. The role play emphasizes the need to match the person's intensity and emotion in responses, and the challenge of switching to visual sharing when language becomes difficult.
🌈 Role Play: Addressing Sensory Needs in Amber State
The webinar includes a role play showing how to address sensory needs in the amber state. Rebecca and Alejandro act out a scenario where repetitive statements indicate an unmet sensory need. The role play highlights the importance of determining the unmet need and the value of a team approach in providing support, as one care partner may become overwhelmed by the repetitive nature of the interaction.
🎭 Role Play Analysis: Supporting an Amber State Individual
After the role play, Rebecca and the participants analyze the interaction, discussing the challenges of supporting someone in the amber state. They talk about the importance of using visual cues and the potential pitfalls of offering too many words or options. The discussion underscores the need to be aware of one's own gem state and to seek support from the team when necessary.
🌟 Final Thoughts on Repetitive Questioning and Care Partner Support
Rebecca concludes the webinar by revisiting the issue of repetitive questioning and the importance of understanding the emotional needs behind them. She emphasizes the value of a team approach in providing support and the need to build relationships with the person living with dementia. Rebecca also discusses the role of care partners in listening, believing, and working together with the person to address their concerns and needs.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Dementia
💡Gem States
💡Repetition
💡Care Partners
💡Communication Strategies
💡Emotional Needs
💡Redirection
💡Reflection
💡PPA (Person, Place, and Ability)
💡Sensory Needs
Highlights
Rebecca Wilson introduces the webinar on how to respond when someone asks the same question repeatedly, especially in the context of dementia care.
The GEM State model is introduced as an alternative to traditional dementia progression scales, focusing on the positive aspects of individuals with dementia.
Different gem states represent varying levels of cognitive ability and communication skills, including Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Amber, Ruby, and Pearl states.
The importance of understanding a person's gem state in order to effectively communicate and support them is emphasized.
Strategies for dealing with repetitive questions include pausing the video to recap and highlight principles, encouraging viewers to consider the gem state of the person they're working with.
A demonstration of conversational abilities for each gem state is provided, showing how to interact with individuals in different cognitive states.
The role of environment in triggering certain responses and the importance of changing environment to shift communication are discussed.
The concept of 'redirection' versus 'distraction' in conversations with individuals with dementia is explained, with a focus on honoring the focus of the person's conversation while shifting to a different topic.
The webinar highlights the need to listen with intent to stories shared by individuals with dementia, in order to be able to redirect them effectively when they can no longer tell their own stories.
The importance of knowing a person's stories and emotional connections to facilitate better communication and support is emphasized.
The webinar addresses the challenge of not knowing a person's stories or long-term memories, offering core principles for responding effectively to repetitive questioning.
A role play demonstrates how to use visual cues and non-verbal communication when words are failing, showing the value of patience and observation in understanding unmet needs.
The concept of 'PPA' (Person-Centered Approach) is introduced, emphasizing the need to connect, reflect, offer, interject, and seek or redirect in communication with individuals with dementia.
The webinar concludes with a discussion on the importance of team approach in care, especially when dealing with repetitive questioning and the emotional needs of individuals with dementia.
Transcripts
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