Increasing conversations between older adults with dementia using textual stimuli

Dementia often leads to behavior changes such as deficits in communication and social interaction; one effective antecedent strategy for improving communication involves rearranged or supplemental stimuli. In the present study, researchers placed individualized textual prompts on the dinner table of three women at an assisted-living facility. Textual stimuli included prompts such as "Debbie, ask Pat where she liked to travel," and led to increases in conversation duration. The results suggest that antecedent interventions can improve social interactions for individuals with dementia with minimal involvement of caregivers.Textual prompts may improve social communication between individuals with dementia.Salient stimuli, such as participants' names, may be necessary to facilitate conversation.The textual intervention requires minimal training and response effort from caregivers and care staff.Improvements in conversation duration maintained at 6 months post-study.