title: Communicating with dementia patients on hospice.
abstract: There are distinct differences in caringfor the "typical " hospice patient as opposed to the hospice patient who has Alzheimer's disease. The entire long-term care team, from volunteers to physicians, can benefit from hospice training in this area. This article addresses this topic in terms of what to be aware of in the disease process, understanding and responding to the caregiver's experience and needs, and, of course, patient care. Particular communication techniques are presented to facilitate interactions with the dementia patient at each of the stages of his or her disease.
authors.affiliation: St Coleman Consulting, Rochester, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D017051:Hospice Care; D006801:Humans