Dementia Case Study Review: A basis for interpersonal Practice

Communication is the process of conveying opinions and exchanging ideas in a way which enhances the interpersonal relationship between individuals. It is a skill that enables us to share ideas and solve the problems that people encounter in their everyday life to live meaningfully. Communication is verbal and non- verbal and everything that anyone does is part of communication and conveys some impression to another party. It helps in connecting individuals and improving the relationship between people in any situation. Good interpersonal skills makes it easy for feelings, thoughts and needs of others to be known by others as they are listened to and understood in the best way. (Koprowska, 2008)

Larry is experiencing the consequences of poor communication. The inability to share information with his family or neighbours in the belief that they will avoid his wife is based on the perception of Larry that the society will judge and will stigmatize his wife. He thinks that society will not understand that sickness is natural. When Larry is admitted into hospital, he experiences the same lack of effective communication. The nurses are unable to explain to him why he must be under their care for some time. To him being in the hospital is just sitting around, making him feel stressed and frustrated. To create a good understanding between the hospital his family and neighbours would require for all parties involved to be open-minded and able to communicate in an effective manner since sickness is not self-induced. (Lucas, 2006)

Effective communication in any organisation helps in improving interpersonal skills between individuals, professional groups, peers and the clients whom they serve. (Heller, 1998) This was not the case for Larry. It is generally acceptable that effective communication skills involve asking...

It should also include having good listening skills (something Larry's son did not have) empathy and in some cases assertiveness. Communication goes together with interpersonal relationships and in Larry's case the context needed for a better relationship between patient and caregivers was totally inappropriate. In Larry's case the need for patient- centered communication with skills such as listening, paying attention, empathy, information sharing and understanding the individuals needs were not effectively executed. The various Interprofessional teams and individuals that came into contact with Larry should have varied their approach to the emotional conditions that he was faced with and provided help by way of helping Larry to overcome his challenges. (Cole, 2004)
The issues surrounding Larry and his family were compounded as a direct result of people who lacked communication skills. With effective communication skills, Larry would not have had to "question all aspects of his life." An explanation from the nursing staff as to why he was having to be admitted into hospital, discussions with physiotherapists surrounding his lack of mobility and Occupational therapists getting involved in the potential return to his home, should have taken place. All of these conversations could have been shared with Larry thus creating a better understanding and harmony within himself.

Various skills were required to help Larry and his family improve the attitude of the individuals concerned. An attitude is a state of mental gameness to behave negatively or positively towards the object of that attitude. It therefore affects how people react to a situation by affecting the feelings and behaviours as well as influencing the perception of individuals about their environment. Attitudes result from what someone has experienced and learned…