title: Communication strategies to promote spiritual well-being among people with dementia.
abstract: Declining communication skills in dementia threaten a person's sense of self. Building on enduring capabilities, pastoral visitors can significantly enhance spiritual well-being through the use of individualized, person-centered strategies. This article outlines the primary spiritual needs of older adults with dementia and some general strategies to improve communication based on enduring abilities. Detailed examples illustrate how these personhood-centered strategies can meet spiritual needs by connecting with individuals with dementia through life stories and through helping them to participate in religious life.
authors.affiliation: McMaster Centre for Gerontological Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1.
authors.forename: Ellen B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Lori Schindel
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beaman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000379:methods*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods*; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D029181:Spirituality