Towards a Code of Practice for Effective Communication With People With Dementing Illnesses

Abstract

In this article, the authors highlight the need for a Code of Practice (CoP) to address the communicative needs of people with dementia and their formal and informal carers. The authors also detail a proposed CoP, as well as an innovative and inclusive consultation process through which the authors and other stakeholders will produce a complete final working version. The authors produced a three level framework for a proposed CoP. Level 1 is a statement of beliefs and principles underlying a person-centred and empowering approach to effective communication with people with dementia. Based on this, Level 2 consists of components of communication strategies and considerations for effective communication. The authors have produced three examples of level 2 components, and these are detailed here. Level 3 of the proposed CoP will consist of practical and individualized advice on actual communication with people at various stages of dementia. The authors also outline a regime for empirically testing the efficacy of the CoP in different contexts, and discuss implications for research and for communication practices in health care contexts.