CLASS #8

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

§        STIMULUS ACTIVITY:  Password
Objective:  GMs will learn to communicate clearly and succinctly what is wanted or needed.

Description:  GL passes a bowl to GMs filled with folded notes each containing a word or phrase related to the care giving situation, e.g. “medication” “social security number” “wandering” “confusion” etc. GMs now play the game “Password” where one player uses one word to describe to the other player what is written on the note they drew from the bowl. The listener guesses what the clue giver is describing. Example: (The word is: medication.)
 Player 1: “pills”-- Player 2: “swallow”
 Player 1: “daily”-- Player 2: pill case
 Player 1: “prescription”-- Player 2: “medication.

 

§        TODAY’S TOPIC:  COMMUNICATION SKILLS. GL discusses the importance of communicating clearly with healthcare professionals and other resource personnel from whom they need information or assistance. Tips include such things as speaking assertively but not aggressively, having written information such as health history and medication lists in hand before making calls or office visits, taking notes, preparing questions in advance, etc. GL role-plays with GMs in order to provide practice in asking questions and/or requesting something from healthcare professionals, insurance representatives, lawyers, respite center workers, etc.

 

§        Break

 

§        HOMEWORK FROM PAST WEEK:  Discuss what time management problems GMs experienced and brainstorm ways to deal with the situations.

 

§        TALK-IT-OUT

 

§        HOMEWORK: 
1. GMs keep a running list this week of all the tasks done during the day. Include also the tasks needed to be done, but not accomplished. (GL gives examples such as cleaning the house, meal preparation, paying bills, researching financial help for respite care, grocery shopping, etc.) Circle tasks you hate doing. Transfer these tasks to a new list. This list contains the tasks with which outside assistance might be advantageous.

2. GMs should bring to class 1-3 photographs that represent a positive, good memory that they can share with everyone that will give a true picture of what the CR was like before the dementia or Alzheimer’s began.

 

§        POST-SESSION EVALUATION