Communication Barriers

Reminiscences Therapy

My name is Gemma Raynor, and I’m currently training to be a health care assistant at a residential home, as part of my training my manager asked me to do reminiscences therapy on Gert an 80 year old lady who suffers from an hearing impairment and also suffers with Dementia, this means they often have difficulty remembering what has recently happened in their lives. This may leave them feeling confused, vulnerable and isolated with not much confidence. However their memory from years ago remain intact. Reminiscences Therapy recalls these memories and can be very therapeutic but also enjoyable. The therapy gives people opportunity to speak freely and share stories and experiences.

I jumped at the chance so I quickly gathered my notes and headed for the living room,

walking into the living room the resident was doing many different things a few chatting amongst themselves, one or two was having a nap, two of them was playing dominos

and then there was Gert slumped into a chair at the far side of the room all frail and gaunt hands placed on her lap, sat under the big bay window with her back to me, her eyes staring out of the window as if she was deep in thought.

As I approached the Lady I quietly spoke her name. I must have startled her, I realised what I did wrong and I overcome it, I realised I wasn’t in eye view so I moved so she could see my face. I say hello and introduce myself but Gert looked hesitant to continue, I got a chair and pulled it up so that we are both on eye level, I put my hand on her arm to reassure her that things will be ok. I asked her if she would like a brew, she had a puzzled look on her face and shook her head as she didn’t no what brew meant, realising I used slang and that Gert would not understand I rephrased and asked if she would like a cup on tea or coffee now that she understood he replied with yes please. Sitting back down I asked Gert if she wanted to tell me about her history, she...