Background: the communication decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) may have a significant impact on the quality of life of demented elderly and their caregivers. This can be subsided by the use of communicative strategies.
Aim: to evaluate the effectiveness of a communication strategies training program for caregivers of patients with moderate AD.
Method: this study identified the use and effectiveness of communication strategies used by caregivers, prior to and after training. This was done through the analyses of a questionnaire and the videotaped interactions between caregivers and patients. The program was used with seven caregivers.
Results: after the program the following was observed: significant statistical increase in the use of the proposed strategies, according to the reports made by the caregivers and to the observations made by the examiners; absence of statistical difference in the effectiveness of these strategies, also according to the reports made by the caregivers and to the observations made by the examiners; absence of changes in the correlation between use and effectiveness, and report of other changes related to communication.
Conclusion: the training program was effective in changing the communicative behavior of caregivers.