Using communication plans to facilitate interactions with communication-impaired persons residing in long-term care institutions

The development and evaluation of a training programme for nurses working with persons with communication disorders in a complex continuing care facility

“…The study included the following sequential steps, incorporating those suggested by Genereux et al (2004): 1. There was a discussion with the nurse unit manager and clinical practice leader SLP at the site about resources required to ensure the success of the intervention.…”

“…A study evaluating the effects of using Communication Plans (Genereux et al, 2004) indicated that, after using them, professional and non-professional caregivers felt more comfortable communicating with residents, were more knowledgeable about a given resident's communication characteristics, and employed more facilitating strategies in communicating with residents. Caregivers perceived Communication Plans as being clear, complete, easy to use, and adapted to their needs with communication-impaired residents.…”

“…We therefore developed a Patient-Centred Communication Intervention (PCCI) that integrated components documented to be important in previous education and training programmes as well as relationship enhancement theory (McGilton, 2004), adult learning principles (Sorin-Peters, 2004), and Communication Plans (Genereux et al, 2004). The programme was piloted for nurses on a CCC unit who worked with residents with communication difficulties as a result of stroke.…”

“…It was read to them, explained, and their questions were answered. Participants commented that a training programme would have been helpful, not only for proper use of the Communication Plans, but for better communication with residents with language impairments (Genereux et al, 2004).…”

Strategies Used by Communication Partners of Aphasic Speakers

“…Professionals should make an attempt to learn which strategies are effective for a particular IwA and attempt to utilize them in everyday activities. Some success has been noted with sharing simple communication recommendation plans with families and professionals so that effective strategies are communicated and used consistently with the IwA (Gènèreux et al, 2004). The logical professional to work with the IwA on establishing communication recommendations would be a speech-language pathologist, with input from the IwA, CP, and other professionals.…”