Book: Communication in Care

Open and honest communication is ideal.  All families have a history and sometimes this history may make family meetings difficult. A third party facilitator can be helpful.

Dementia Advisers may be able to help. ASI has a number of Dementia Advisers who work with people with dementia and their families to provide individualised and responsive information, sign-posting and emotional support service. This service is free and confidential.

In relation to family meetings, the Dementia Adviser

·         Avoids focusing on old conflicts and instead directs the conversation to what can be done to help both the person with dementia and his/her carers. 

·         Solutions emerge from the family who will come up with a plan for helping, once they have a better understanding of the carer's needs.

·         Topics may include care planning, help with decision making, long-term care information, information and advice about the financial implications of caring. 

Family meetings can help identify difficulties and help find solutions.