Comment on research suggesting that people with Alzheimer's disease 'have a greater memory than was previously thought'
Published 24 July 2008
As dementia progresses communication often becomes more difficult but this does not necessarily mean that a person’s understanding has diminished.
It's important to communicate with people with dementia in ways that make it easy for them to respond. This includes using short sentences, clear language and providing people with the opportunity to respond non-verbally as well.
This research is also a timely reminder of the importance of presuming people with dementia have mental capacity unless it can be proven otherwise.
Clive Evers
Director of Knowledge Management
Alzheimer's Society
Reference:
Harley, Trevor A., Jessiman, Lesley J., MacAndrew, Siobhan B. G. and Astell, Arlene (2007) 'I don't know what I know: Evidence of preserved semantic knowledge but impaired metalinguistic knowledge in adults with probable Alzheimer's disease ', Aphasiology, 22:3, 321 - 335
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