We perform many cognitive tasks every day but we are unaware of the efforts required to do so. These simple tasks take different forms, such as remembering names, noticing colors, or calculating time on a clock. This confirms what researchers have known for many years, that our cognitive skills and functions are composed of distinct types of cognitive abilities. However, our abilities can change throughout our lives, as a result of brain maturation and as well as a part of aging. As we age, our reflexes and movements become slower, with our vision and hearing weakened. Speech is also slower due to our reduced cognitive abilities.
A decline in cognitive skills can also be further accelerated by specific health illnesses such as dementia or other memory-related illnesses. Dementia is a clinical condition that involves a gradual and continual loss of intellectual function in individuals, especially older adults, leading to memory loss and cognitive impairment issues. Patients may have difficulty in their speech, leading to problematic communication with others or issues with taking care of themselves in their daily lives. If caregivers do not have a good understanding of this illness, they may feel frustrated about the miscommunication with their loved ones or patients. Read on as we share with you how cognitive skills affect speech in this guide here.
The Patient’s Factors
Your loved ones may start to face the following issues when they are diagnosed with dementia. It is key to take note of such problems, especially as a caregiver, so that you will be able to better understand how to address and take care of their needs:
- Difficulties in retaining information
- Memory loss
- Difficulties in performing difficult tasks as a result of cognitive impairment
- difficulties in carrying out complex tasks due to cognitive impairment
- Lower concentration ability
- Mood swing
- Higher level of irritability
The Caregiver’s Factors
Even as a caregiver, you would also have to take note that you play an integral role in the way loved ones or patients react in response to you. Here are the following factors that you should take note of as a caregiver in order to facilitate better communication and avoid communication problems
- When you are speaking too quickly or with a high pitched voice, this can bring stress to the individual with dementia
- When you provide too much information at once or use unnecessary gestures that can be misleading and distract the patient’s attention.
- When you appear to them as feeling impatient and frustrated
- When you use an improper tone of voice such as shouting which can cause them to feel offended and agitated
Environmental Factors
You will have to take note of these environmental factors as well, as individuals with dementia can also change their behaviors in accordance with their surroundings. These factors include:
- Noisy environment
- Poor lighting
Choose Rittenhouse Village At Valparaiso
Rittenhouse Village At Valparaiso is proud to provide support for you and your loved ones with our signature SHINE® Memory Care program. We offer a holistic care plan that will fit your loved one’s abilities and needs. To learn more about this program, contact Rittenhouse Village At Valparaiso today!
