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Conversation coaching in dementia: a feasibility study

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Key summary points

AbstractSection Aim

To evaluate the feasibility of a conversation coaching intervention for people with dementia and their communication partners.

AbstractSection Findings

Participant feedback indicates that conversation coaching intervention is feasible with people with dementia. Communication function and well-being were either maintained or improved.

AbstractSection Message

Conversation coaching intervention is collaborative and enhances the retained communication abilities of people living with dementia.

Abstract

Purpose

Conversation abilities of people with dementia are impacted by cognitive-communication deficits. Communication interventions can improve quality of life by increasing positive interactions and well-being. This study evaluates the feasibility of a conversation coaching intervention for people with dementia and their communication partners.

Method

A mixed-method design was used. Thirty-four people were recruited over 12 months; 17 people with dementia and 17 communication partners. Participants with dementia were aged between 62 and 79 years (8 females, 9 males) and the communication partners were aged 33–77 years (5 males, 12 females). This conversation coaching intervention involved two assessment sessions (pre and post intervention) and 6 weekly sessions, alternating between individual and group-based sessions. These were facilitated by two experienced speech and language therapists with a three-month follow-up period. Participants were assessed initially and three months following intervention using Profiling Communication Ability in Dementia (P-CAD), Goal Attainment Scaling, and Capability Index for Older people (ICECAP-O).

Results

Twenty-eight participants completed the conversation coaching intervention. P-CAD scores for people with dementia were maintained at three months for 71% (n = 10) showing no decline in function and 29% (n = 4) showed improvement. Using the Goal Attainment Scaling, all people with dementia and their communication partners reported that this conversation coaching intervention helped them achieve their individual communication goals. Ten (71%) people with dementia rated their well-being as higher on the ICE-CAP-O following intervention with 29% (n = 4) rating no change in well-being from initial assessment. Over three-quarters of communication partners, (79%: n = 11), reported an increased sense of well-being following intervention and 21% (n = 3) had no change in well-being.

Conclusions

Preliminary outcomes including participant feedback indicate that this conversation coaching intervention is feasible for people with dementia. The communication function and well-being of people with dementia were either maintained or improved. Conversation coaching intervention is collaborative and enhances the retained communication abilities of people living with dementia.

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Data availability

Data are available for review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, Trinity College Dublin and Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, HSE-IEHG, St. Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland

    Suzanna Dooley, Sophie Furey, Shane O’Hanlon & Margaret Walshe

  2. Department of Geriatric Medicine, UCD, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Co. Dublin, Ireland

    Shane O’Hanlon

Authors
  1. Suzanna Dooley
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  2. Sophie Furey
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  3. Shane O’Hanlon
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  4. Margaret Walshe
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Correspondence to Shane O’Hanlon.

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Dooley, S., Furey, S., O’Hanlon, S. et al. Conversation coaching in dementia: a feasibility study. Eur Geriatr Med 15, 209–216 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-023-00908-5

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