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.


OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the effectiveness of a communication strategies training program for caregivers of patients with moderate AD.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
the training program was effective in changing the communicative behavior of caregivers.
Faculdade de Fonoaudiologia, Universidade Estadual de Ciências da Saúde de Alagoas. franceliseroque@yahoo.com.br
Francelise Pivetta
FP
Roque
Karin Zazo
KZ
Ortiz
Mariana da Silva Câmara
Mda S
Araújo
Paulo Henrique Ferreira
PH
Bertolucci
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric