Maximizing Effective Communication Between Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and their Professional Caregivers in Long-term Care Settings: Implementation of the ORCAS: Strategies for Dementia Program

Communication between long-term care residents with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and their professional caregivers is often inadequate and ineffective. This study investigates an established caregiver training program (ORegon Center for Applied Science [ORCAS]: Strategies for Dementia, Communication Skills for Professional Caregivers; Bourgeois & Irvine, 2000) designed to teach professional caregivers skills to improve communication with their residents with AD. Responses from caregivers who participated in the training program, as well as responses from the residents in their care, provide insight into the effectiveness of the program. Suggestions for improvement are provided