Earn 1.00 hr. CEU, pre-approved for Social Workers by BOSW; self-submit other disciplines.
MGS is an approved Continuing Education Resource by the MN Board of Nursing.
(The CEU is free for MGS members; $15 for non-members.)
By: Betsy Benz, Volunteer Community Educator, Alzheimer’s Association
In partnership with 
Handout – Effective Communication Strategies 1.12.21
Communication is more than just talking and listening – it’s also about sending and receiving messages through attitude, tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. As people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias progress in their journey and the ability to use words is lost, families need new ways to connect. Join us to explore how communication take place when someone has Alzheimer’s, learn to decode the verbal and behavioral messages delivered by someone with dementia, and identify strategies to help you connect and communicate at each stage of the disease.
Objectives:
- Explain the communication changes that take place throughout the course of the disease
- Decode the verbal and behavioral messages delivered by someone with dementia and respond in ways that are helpful to the person
- Identify strategies to help you connect and communicate at each stage of the disease
Betsy Benz, Volunteer Community Educator, Alzheimer’s Association
After working with people with Dementia for a few years, Betsy Benz noticed a recurring state of shock and confusion among family members of those diagnosed with dementia. It appeared to Betsy that families might not be receiving sufficient education and support about Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
After attending an Alzheimer’s Association forum, Betsy immediately signed up as a Volunteer Community Educator and a Caregiver Support Group facilitator. “It feels good to educate community members and to provide emotional support to caregivers. Alzheimer’s is a tough journey; it’s an honor to walk alongside families navigating this unknown territory.”
Sources and Resources: