Quilting Intervention

Stephanie WilsonMay 6, 2006

Alzheimer’s Disease

As this disease progresses, communication becomes difficult for older adults.Quilting is a useful and guiding tool when having conversations with older adults with AD and keeps the conversation flowing.

Definition of Quilting

When speaking to an older adult with Alzheimer’s Disease, repeat or rephrase what the speaker says and then quilt or blend that phrase into the next conversation.

Example of Quilting

S1: “My mother was a nurse when she lived in Georgia.”S2: “Oh, your mother worked in Georgia as a nurse.”

Next Conversation

S2: “Last time, we talked about your mother who used to live in Georgia.” S1: “Yes, she was a nurse down there.”

Using the Quilting Intervention

“ A patient with pragmatic communication deficits may communicate adequately, especially in brief interactions about familiar topics. The signs…may only be apparent in longer discourses such as conversations and stories” (Kempler, 2005). This technique is helpful for expanding on details of stories and also recalling of more content within stories.

Helpful Tips with Quilting

Have background information about the person with AD before the actual conversationRemember details of the conversation for future conversationsTry not to rush the speaker to respondBecome comfortable with pausing

Body Language

Non-verbal encouragement can help older adults with AD to communicate more effectively.After quilting, lean a little closer and lift eyebrows to show interest.These things can lessen the pressure on older adults to respond and can allow more confidence in responses.

Personal Experience

After communicating with residents at the Havens as a volunteer, I have come to appreciate this technique in conversation. It helped me to overcome my fear of communicating with older adults with dementia and it also allowed me to learn about their interesting experiences throughout their lives.

References

Moore & Davis 2002Kempler (2005). Pragmatic communication deficits. Neurocognitive Disorders in Aging, 87-104.