When Words Fail

Chapter 8: When Words Fail

Overview:

• Advice is given on how to prolong the person with Alzheimer’s ability to speak
• Guidance on how to listen and look beyond words to the emotions behind the words
• Describes ways to cope when words fail
• Discusses other ways of communicating besides the use of verbal language
• Explains the importance of the carer being there until the end and to continue with efforts to get through to the other person

Description:

In this chapter, ways of coping when the other person either won’t or can’t speak are suggested. The importance of keeping in mind the relevance of any interaction, or how minimal the content is, it should be born in mind. Advice and guidance is always given through the author’s experience with her own mother who had Alzheimer’s.

Topics:

• Some words of encouragement
  • Helping to prolong their ability to speak
  • The relevance of the emotion behind the words
  • Speaking and listening are always meaningful acts
• When words fail
  • Thinking of sounds as a call sign
  • Words are not the only means of responding
  • Even silence and bad behaviour communicate something
• Being there at the end

Speaker / Author:

Jane Crisp

Dr Jane Crisp has retired recently as a lecturer in communication, media studies and women’s studies at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. She now holds an honorary position there as Adjunct Senior Lecturer. When Jane’s mother, who lived in New Zealand, was diagnosed with dementia Jane found her professional studies of great help in her efforts to keep in touch. Since 1990 Jane has been studying the language of people who are dementing and working out strategies for making sense of the way they speak. She has given talks on this work, and had articles published, both in Australia and overseas. 

Jane has spent much time in France, meeting and exchanging ideas with researchers and carers involved with people who are dementing, and visiting specialised care units. She is married, with a son and a brand new granddaughter.

Professional Reviews: