Empowered Conversations uses evidence based psychological and communication theories to support carers to improve relationships and reduce stress.
For example, it uses Mentalisation Theory, which is about understanding our own thoughts and feelings while recognising that others have their own minds with different perspectives.
Professor Berry from The University of Manchester is also Mental Health Co-Theme Lead at the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and Co-Director of the Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
She said: “In dementia care, relationships often change dramatically, for example, a child may become the carer of a parent, or a spouse may shift from partner to caregiver. Carers often face a painful conflict between remembering the person as they used to be and coping with who they have become.
“Seeing someone who looks the same physically but has changed in memory, personality, and communication can feel confusing, distressing and bring a sense of loss and grief.
“Stress associated with these changes in close relationships can make it harder to understand and interpret another person’s thoughts and feelings. While some carers adapt by adjusting their expectations and priorities, this kind of coping does not happen easily or automatically. This is where learning skills in mentalisation can help.”
Among the positives, carers said the course resulted in changes to themselves, their relationships, and their communication skills.
Participants also described letting go of their expectations of what the person should be able to do and replacing that with more realistic goals.
Dr Morris, who is a Senior Clinical Lecturer and Clinical Psychologist at the University, added: “In a landscape where provision of post-diagnostic dementia support is variable or limited, it appears that Empowered Conversations can offer carers an intervention that is appreciated and accessible.
“Communication difficulties are associated with increased carer stress and burden and can contribute to the breakdown of the interpersonal relationship between the carer and person with dementia.
“Training does exist, but it focuses on practical communication skills without addressing the emotional and relational contexts of care and communication.
“However, the carers we worked with reported positive experiences of participating in Empowered Conversations and valued meeting people who, despite sometimes different circumstances, shared their understanding of supporting someone with dementia.
“The course supported participants to rethink communication and have a greater appreciation of the other person’s perspective during everyday interactions.”
- Image is AI generated
“The University of Manchester is a public research university in Manchester, England. The main campus is south of Manchester City Centre on Oxford Road.”
Please visit the firm link to site
