Analysis of Communication Systems for Dementia Care in a Nursing Home

This report comprehensively analyzes communication systems and practices within a nursing home setting, particularly in the context of dementia care. It explores the roles and responsibilities of a senior nurse, detailing a range of communication methods, including verbal, non-verbal, and electronic means. The report reviews the diverse groups and individuals a senior nurse interacts with, examines barriers to effective communication such as organizational, cultural, and personal challenges, and proposes strategies to overcome these obstacles. It also assesses the effectiveness of existing communication systems like computer software, diaries, and emails, while suggesting improvements for enhanced information flow and partnership working. Furthermore, the report addresses legal and ethical considerations of information sharing, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality and the use of information management systems to meet these requirements.

Use and Development systems
that promote communication

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO-1.................................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Reviewing range of group and individual in nursing home............................................1
1.2 Supporting effective communication within job of senior nurse.....................................1
1.3 Analysing barriers and challenges to communication process within job of senior nurse.2
1.4 Implementing the strategy to overcome barriers of communication................................3
1.5 Applying various communication means to meet different needs...................................4
LO-2.................................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Monitoring effectiveness of communication systems and practices................................6
2.2 Evaluating effectiveness of existing communication systems and practices...................6
2.3 Proposing improvements to communication systems and practices................................7
2.4 Leading the implementation of revised communication systems and practices...............7
LO-3.................................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Using communication systems for promoting partnership working in nursing home....8
3.2 Comparing effectiveness of various communication systems for partnership working...8
3.3 Proposing improvements to communication systems for partnership working...............9
LO-4.................................................................................................................................................9
4.1 Explaining legal and ethical tensions between maintaining confidentiality and sharing
information.............................................................................................................................9
4.2 Analysing essential features of information sharing agreements within and between
organisations.........................................................................................................................10
4.3 Demonstrating use of information management systems to meet legal and ethical
requirements.........................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Communication process is very effective in every job role that makes the easy flow of
information and knowledge from top to bottom level. Oral, face to face, picture, video, written,
number, diagram, formal, informal and many more are the various methods of communication.
The report aims in describing skills and knowledge that is required to develop various systems of
communication to meet an individual's need and requirement in nursing home. The report aims
to describe all the perspectives as a senior nurse who is specialists in dementia that specifies
significance of effective communication in the management of nursing home. Lastly, the overall
report aims in promoting partnership work in nursing home.
LO-1
1.1 Reviewing range of group and individual in nursing home.
In the nursing home, the group range and individual are very extensive and multifaceted.
Moreover, the exchange of knowledge and information is referred to communication process
and its method can be writing, diagram, electronic, number, sign, pictorial, verbal, non-verbal
and many more. The main list of an individual and group with whom senior nurse communicates
in order to prevent dementia disease are clients, senior doctors, owners, delivery people, care
managers, voluntary and intentional groups, adult security, home visitors, friends, families,
trainers, employee's, various inspectors and so on. The other range of individual also involves
managers, directors, senior carers, junior carers, regular visitors and many more. Moreover, the
senior nurse also communicates with medical staff to prevent people from dementia that includes
dentists, consultants, etc. (Savignon, 2018). The groups and individual which communicates with
senior nurse is very large which can be in terms of face- to- face conversation which helps in
immediate delivery of information regarding Dementia in nursing home. Further, the information
is imparted from directors to managers and is followed by care co-ordinators in nursing home.
Then it is moved upon senior carers to junior carers which makes communication flow easy and
enough. The various meetings are held and best hosting is required that helps in communication
process more flexible and rapid.
1.2 Supporting effective communication within job of senior nurse.
The main and effective key of communication is to listen carefully to others in nursing
home. Moreover, when an individual is listening they must be active mentally and physically in
1

communication process. The other concept is to be attentive, to understand it and respond to the
opposite person very carefully. This key helps communication process to be very effective at
every stage in nursing home. As a senior nurse, the process of exchanging information must be
done through e-mail, telephone or face- to – face which helps in making it more enhanced and
quick in nursing home. In addition to this, the listener must not speak in between and should not
give back answers to their leaders and must listen them initially. Further, this procedure cannot
be made effective by only imparting messages to anyone at any stage (Geertman and Stillwell,
2012). But it should be known that the communication is clearly understood by other party in
nursing home. One of the best example is to communicate through face-to-face method which
makes the process effective and advanced. The system of face-to-face involves team meetings
and handover concept. The barriers in this method must be resolved by appropriate supervision
of expert that makes communication process easy and smooth in order to prevent dementia
quickly. The senior nurse looks upon necessary thing like nobody in this process should be
sympathetic and judgemental which ensures to make communication more effective.
1.3 Analysing barriers and challenges to communication process within job of senior nurse.
In the process of imparting message and information from top to bottom level there are
various barriers and challenges faced by the nursing home management. Organisational, channel,
interpersonal, speaking, attitudinal, cultural, physical, language, are various types of barriers and
challenges that are faced by senior nurse in daily activities to prevent dementia patients (Mair,
and et.al, 2012). One of the example is few patients have high needs of dementia and they are not
able to recognize simple verbal language which is a barrier within the nursing home. In such case
senior nurses can use written form of communication by using pictorial and imaging as form of
communication. In addition to this, few of the barriers are discussed below:
Organisational barriers: In this type, it involves various policy which can be in written format
that affects communication process. Moreover, there are rules and regulations which restrict an
individual from imparting messages to other staff member in nursing home (Rice and Atkin,
2012). Formal and status division also emphasizes as a barrier in communicating from top to
bottom level of management.
Cultural barriers: The age, gender, cultural background, economic position, education, social
status, values, ethics, religion and many more are involved in cultural barriers that impacts
2

negatively in making communication process effective. Moreover, it will also delay in
preventing dementia disease.
Distracted by emotional noise: As a senior nurse, they are distracted by various noises and
physical challenges are also faced in treating people of dementia case that involves noise, busy,
out dated, low lightening, temperature, shortage of staff, lack of various equipment’s, etc that
does not support in making communication process more effective in nursing home.(Oldroyd,
2013).
1.4 Implementing the strategy to overcome barriers of communication.
 As a senior nurse there are various strategies implemented that helps in overcoming
different kinds of communication barriers. In order to make strategy in overcoming the
external organizational barriers that is environment of nursing home, an individual must
pay attention on delivering the message and information through suitable purpose for the
quick recovery of dementia.
3
Illustration 1: Barriers of Communication
Source: (Kilembe, 2011)

 In terms of cultural barriers, it can be overcome by valuing the diversity of every
individual and groups in nursing home.
 Professionals must deal with the clients by providing appropriate treatments in nursing
home that helps in overcoming barriers of communication.
 In addition to personal barriers, its responsibility as a senior nurse to look upon emotions
and feelings that should not have adverse effect on communication process at every stage
in nursing home (Manyozo, 2012).
 As a senior nurse its duty to make active use of listening skills in terms of dementia and
should also be aware about the body language to overcome the barriers of
communication.
1.5 Applying various communication means to meet different needs.
There are various means of communication that supports senior nurse in meeting various
need regarding dementia purpose are sign, pictorial, written, verbal, electronic, non-verbal,
assisted, personal and many more in nursing home.
 In terms of non-verbal communication, it involves body contact, facial expression, hand
movements, appearance, movement of eye, talking ways, posture, head movements,
sounds and many more which helps to meet various needs in nursing home.
 The another mean of communication can be in formal way that includes presentation or
group discussion in nursing home. This helps to impart information or data of patients to
every member once at a time. The presentation is prepared on necessary rules, policies,
etc that is to be followed properly by staff within the organisation. Moreover, this formal
way of means can meet different needs of patients in nursing home.
4

 Verbal communication is sometimes complicated as exchange of words can totally
change the meaning of sentences in communicating with others which will arise conflicts
in treating dementia people. In this means, the words must be selected wisely and
carefully which helps in avoiding conflicts in communication process (Kim, Trimin and
Chung, 2014). An individual and group must avoid using languages which arises
complexity in verbal communication.
 As the senior nurse one of the means that is applied are assisted, pictorial and signs which
helps to deal with people who are having issues of dementia, sight, hearing, language and
speech in process of communication.
5
Illustration 1: Means of Communication
Source: (Communication, 2015)

 The other mean of communication is electronic that includes email, text messages, letters
and many more (Communication, 2015). This method helps to communicate with the
external members such as care managers, consultants, visitors, home patients, etc in
regards to nursing home facilities.
 One of the communication mean is written format that helps in covering memos, notes,
presentations, e-mails, etc. This method helps in communicating with every members of
nursing home regarding patients detail.
LO-2
2.1 Monitoring effectiveness of communication systems and practices.
As a senior nurse, the effectiveness is monitored of various communication systems and
practices in nursing home management. One of the main and important system is care
management that is also called computer system software. In addition to this, it involves history
of medicals, care plans, messages, daily notes of care, risk assessments and all about plans that is
written on paper specially in dementia terms (Treem and Leonardi, 2013). The significance of
message system is monitored by identifying whether the message is delivered or not. Moreover,
when the message is read by opposite person it shows in the system and further senior nurse can
identify who all have read the messages through computer software.
The another component is diary in communication system in which all the meetings,
appointments and daily activities are mentioned for every members of nursing home. This
concept is easily and rapidly monitored by referring all the notes written in it.
By use of e-mail communication system, the data and information are sent to external
people or stakeholders like care managers, consultants, visitors and many more. The
effectiveness is monitored in terms of correct response, no response or by the speed of response
in collecting information regarding dementia.
2.2 Evaluating effectiveness of existing communication systems and practices.
As a senior nurse it has been identified that the existing systems and practices of
communication involves computer software system, diary, emails, etc. which is very significant
and effective in this process for gathering data about sick people who is specially involved in
dementia disease (Cummings and Worley, 2014). In addition to this, the entries are missed
6

sometimes in diaries which leads to lack of information about nursing home. But when all the
written notes are presented clearly it shows the effectiveness of diary at every level of
management.
The another existing means of communication is by doing proper observation and
supervision which helps in imparting messages and information in every department regarding
every needs of dementia. This means is effective as they help in receiving standard and quick
response from others with appropriate understanding of information.
In terms of existing communication E-mail is also a method for exchanging information
from top to bottom level in nursing home. The effectiveness can be evaluated as the quick
answer and reply is received in limited time. Moreover, any files, PDF's can also be attached in
e-mails for clear understanding about any information.
2.3 Proposing improvements to communication systems and practices.
As a senior nurse, the another proposal is used to improve communication systems and
practices that helps in addressing any of the disadvantage or shortcoming in nursing home. One
of the proposal can be improving the consultation record form which is filled by the doctors.
From the staff's and professionals’ feedback it is analysed that record form must be improved
highly at initial stage. In this form, there is not enough space for mentioning specific medication
that is to be suggested to any patient about dementia disease (O'Malley, 2012). The general
medicines are written in form of antibiotics or medicines of physiological condition and
moreover, the particular and important medicine is not written that is to be taken by patients. As
a senior nurse, the patient with dementia disease and mental problems are very important to be
treated at initial stage and in this terms the specific medicine is not mentioned in consultation
record form. The improvement can be done by leaving enough space for mentioning all
particular medication in CRF of nursing home.
2.4 Leading the implementation of revised communication systems and practices.
As per the view of senior nurse the implementation of system and practices in
communication can be revised and lead by using examples in nursing home. In addition to this,
the staff member proposes a new idea of working which helps in making communication process
more effective between clients and doctors. The means of communication like face- to- face,
handover, team meeting helps in implementing new concept of ideas in nursing home. As it is
7

stated above that nursing home needs to improve the consultation record form which needs more
space in mentioning specific medication for patients in disease like demetia (Lombardi and et.al.,
2012). Moreover, as a senior nurse this idea can be implemented after making team discussion in
nursing home. Further, the paper work like procedures, policies, rules must be adequately
followed which helps in easy implementation of new innovative concepts. This helps in
achieving main vision and also communication systems/practices can be revised by
implementation of new ideas in nursing home. Lastly, training and development tool also helps
in making communication systems more effective and advanced.
LO-3
3.1 Using communication systems for promoting partnership working in nursing home.
The partnership working is accurate and advanced which is mostly for long term in
nursing home. As a senior nurse, it is analysed that partnership working can be formal, informal
which reflects the effectiveness and progress in their work regarding treatment of dementia. The
staff working in team and groups share a wide range of ideas which helps in achieving success
and objectives of nursing home. Moreover, the means of communication such as telephonic
conversation, face-to-face, e-mails, group discussion, video conference helps in promoting
partnership work in nursing home. The social media that involves Facebook, twitter, helps in
exchanging information or images to other staff members of which promotes their partnership
widely (Proctor and Van Zandt, 2018). Partnership can be formed with clients, families, friends
with their mutual understanding in order to achieve high credibility of nursing home. The
another means of communication can be debate which can be in verbal form that helps in
receiving immediate feedback from all the partners. One of the communication method is faxing
the detail about patient’s medication to other member of partnership in nursing home. This helps
in providing better and effective treatment to the client in terms of dementia.
3.2 Comparing effectiveness of various communication systems for partnership working.
As per the view of senior nurse, it has been recognised that there are various effective
tools that supports in promoting partnership working in nursing home department. Moreover, the
correct means of communicating must be selected depending on various situations and
conditions of nursing home (Highsmith, 2013). The best method is using telephones to
8

communicate easily and rapidly with every members of team that helps in promoting their
partnership work. The messages and information that is urgent can be delivered through
telephones in nursing homogenisation. But on other side, the information can be misunderstood
sometimes through mobile phones which is in verbal form.
The another method can be E-mail which helps in imparting general and specific
information to other members in written form. This also provides a source of physical evidence
in terms of any issues that arises in the future (Singhal and Rogers, 2012). E-mail keeps the
permanent record of every information regarding dementia and other diseases also which can be
referred anytime that can be effective in promoting their partnership work.
3.3 Proposing improvements to communication systems for partnership working.
As per the perception of senior nurse who is specialists in treating people of dementia,
one of the proposal would be using e-mail, telephones, letters, etc. That can be used for instant
interaction with other staff members in partnership working. Another proposal is to involve
family and relatives in care planning process of patient would also lead to better working in
partnership deed (Cresswell and Sheikh, 2013). Moreover, it would be strengthening by using
various means of communication in which families and friends are involved in taking decisions
related to clients of dementia. The staff, management members, relatives, friends are supportive
in improvements to communication systems for partnership working. This proposal should be
discussed in the meeting and can be implemented thoroughly in nursing home. Every partners
are supposed to co-operate and make decisions with mutual understanding which improves and
strengthen their partnership working. Moreover, the method of written documentation is more
beneficial in performing every services effectively in nursing home. Lastly, another system is
email which helps in linking every partners at every stage and it would be more beneficial to
secure the medical records of patients.
LO-4
4.1 Explaining legal and ethical tensions between maintaining confidentiality and sharing
information.
The first thing is confidentiality which involves a set of promises and rules that helps in
placing limitation on certain types of information. As a senior nurse it has been identified that the
9

Care Act, 2014 and Data Protection Act, 2018 helps in handling all the confidential data and
resources of nursing home. This type of confidentiality can be broken if any malpractice or crime
has been undertaken by anyone within organization (Kumar and et.al., 2013). For making
effective information management systems there must be accuracy, relevancy, completeness in
securing data and resources. Moreover, computer system and application software must be
implemented to accomplish input, output and storing essential data of patients. This acts are
responsible for sharing the data only in the organisation and not to the outsiders.
Tension may arise between patients who are suffering specially from dementia
ethical/legal rights of privacy and sharing information specifically within the partnership
working. The Human Rights Act,1998 also reflects about policy of securing data of patient and
their family life (Cassidy, 2016). Mainly there are legislations that helps in securing and
governing information are Equality Act, Public Interest Disclosure Act and many more.
Moreover, the Care Act and Dementia, 2014 is followed by senior nurse that helps in treating
sick people who are disabled in those terms.
4.2 Analysing essential features of information sharing agreements within and between
organisations.
As a senior nurse it has been analysed that there are significant features about information
sharing agreements which is only performed in the nursing home. Staff members are required
various levels of access to data to maintain the privacy about patients of dementia specially detail
(Koh and et.al., 2013). Some of the features may be:
 The limited use of information about patients must be justified and transferred to other
level of organisation and moreover it does not reveal the extra data and source of client's
unnecessarily.
 Every staff member who is aware about patient's data must know their responsibility of
not disclosing their information to any outsiders.
 Mainly, official policy and rules must be followed by nursing home members that
supports in securing data of client's.
10