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Dementia patients often lose second languages

 
Maria A. Belisario, RPN

Maria A. Belisario, RPN, and other nurses on 4 West often make flash cards, with the family’s help, to use with patients who have lost their English or French abilities and go back to using their mother tongue.

When dementia patients reach a certain stage, they often lose any second languages they acquired – like English or French – and go back to using their mother tongue. That poses challenges for health-care providers, such as the nurses on 4 West.

“We have a duty to accommodate, and will arrange for interpreters when patients have tests, doctor’s appointments, family meetings or have to sign consent forms,” explained Caiti Ford, Clinical Manager of 4 West Transitional Care Unit. “But it’s hard when our patients are here sometimes for months and months. We can’t have interpreters 24/7, so nurses have a variety of approaches to communicate.”

For example, nurses ask family members to help make flash cards for often-used words and phrases, such as to go to the washroom, for water, or for pain control. Families are sometimes called to translate on the phone. Nurses have tried some translation apps, but haven’t found one that works really well. Since most communication is non-verbal anyhow, nurses use a lot of gestures and hand signs.

“We can be comforting without using language,” said Ford. “There’s a lot you can achieve non-verbally.”

Maria A. Belisario, RPN, said smiles, caring touch and a reassuring tone of voice cross most language barriers. She always learns a few words of the patient’s language, and writes ‘pain’ on the care board so she remembers.

“Even with a few words in their language, they feel comforted,” Belisario said. “They trust you more because you’re making an effort.”

Patients who have never known either of Canada’s official languages are generally better at communicating their needs, said Ford. “We could have up to five people at any one time who speak absolutely no English or French.”

Ford said her team has learned from experience that, even if they’re communicating well on the unit, it’s important to identify when conversations will become more medically complex so nurses can arrange for an interpreter.

Serge Falardeau, Coordinator of the Accessibility Awareness and Planning Program, said that excellent communication between medical staff and patients is vital.

“Their health depends on it,” said Falardeau. “When necessary, qualified interpreters are available for critical medical appointments.”

Click here to book a cultural language interpreter

 
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