Communicative strategies training effectiveness to caregivers of patients with dementia.

BACKGROUND the communication decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) may have a significant impact on the quality of life of demented elderly and their caregivers. This can be subsided by the use of communicative strategies. AIM to evaluate the effectiveness of a communication strategies training program for caregivers of patients with moderate AD. METHOD this study identified the use and effectiveness of communication strategies used by caregivers, prior to and after training. This was done through the analyses of a questionnaire and the videotaped interactions between caregivers and patients. The program was used with seven caregivers. RESULTS after the program the following was observed: significant statistical increase in the use of the proposed strategies, according to the reports made by the caregivers and to the observations made by the examiners; absence of statistical difference in the effectiveness of these strategies, also according to the reports made by the caregivers and to the observations made by the examiners; absence of changes in the correlation between use and effectiveness, and report of other changes related to communication. CONCLUSION the training program was effective in changing the communicative behavior of caregivers.