Title: Identify basic principles of communicating with a cognitively impaired client.
Course: Medication Aide (14051-36) > Section: Preparing for Safe Administration of Medications

Identification should include

- the three components of communication (i.e., message, sender, receiver)
- how to be a good listener
- communication barriers (e.g., failure to listen)
- the definition of cognitive impairment
- the causes of cognitive impairment (e.g., delirium, depression, dementia)
- the behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia
- communication techniques to minimize behavior problems
- communication techniques with a mentally ill client
- communication techniques with an aphasic client
- behavior management techniques.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What communication strategies can an MA use during interaction with others?
- What specific methods can improve the cognition of a cognitively impaired client?
- What cognitive prompts are available in an ALF (e.g., clocks, calendars, daily activity, and menu schedules)?
- How would an MA respond to a 90-year-old client who is asking where her mother is?
- What are four alternative activities an MA could suggest for a confused client who is becoming agitated?