Podcast: Talking to people with dementia

Episode 26: How can we speak well with people suffering from dementia? Care expert Jürgen Griesbeck gives tips and explains techniques.

Episode 26: Find out how validation, biography work and basal stimulation make communication with dementia patients easier. Guest in this podcast episode: care expert and life situation coach Jürgen Griesbeck.

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Conversations with a person suffering from dementia are challenging, as their cognitive abilities and language skills are often so severely impaired that misunderstandings, confusion and frustration can quickly arise on both sides.

Jürgen Griesbeck worked as a geriatric nurse for 20 years and accompanied his father with dementia in the last years of his life. In the podcast, the care expert explains how you can talk and stay in touch with people suffering from dementia with a lot of patience and empathy. He introduces three practical techniques - validation, biography work and basal stimulation - that can make communication easier and bring joy to the people you are talking to.

In this episode you will find out:

• 2:00 - What is dementia? What changes occur in behavior and communication?
• 6:39 - What are typical changes in speech that indicate dementia? What is the difference to depression?
• 9:39 - How can we adapt our communication strategies to the needs of people with dementia?
• 11:14 - What does "validation" mean in communication with people suffering from dementia?
• 14:13 - What does "biography work" mean when talking to people with dementia?
• 18:24 - How does "basal stimulation" work for people suffering from dementia?
• 20:50 - What role do empathy, respect and patience play when communicating with dementia patients?
• 22:20 - How can the extended environment - more distant relatives and friends - support communication with dementia patients?
• 26:18 - What is the importance of non-verbal communication and manual work in dealing with people with dementia?
• 31:00 - What role do memories and stories play in communicating with people with dementia?
• 35:47 - What role does self-care play for relatives of patients?

Cheerful to stormy - the everyday podcast

Welcome to "Heiter bis stürmisch" - the everyday podcast with Olli Schmidt. Cheerful or saddened to death: life has ups and downs.

That's what we're all about: everyday crises such as arguments with your partner, parenting issues, stress at work, insecurities and anxiety. We talk to experts and give you practical tips to help you deal better with crises and challenges.

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