The nurse is caring for an older adult client who has been diagnosed w

QUESTION

The nurse is caring for an older adult client who has been diagnosed with dementia. The nurse recognizes which of the following as true in relation to the use of touch with this client?

a. Clients with dementia can ask for touch.
b. Clients with dementia can create touch for themselves.
c. Clients with dementia can become more anchored in the present time, space, and humanity when touched.
d. Clients with dementia can tell the nurse about the meaning of touch.

ANSWER:

ANS: C
Touch is something clients with dementia can no longer ask for, create for themselves, or tell another of its meaning. Touch is a form of communication, used to reinforce simple verbal instructions with cognitively impaired adults and as a primary form of communication. It is experienced “not only physically as sensation, but also affectively as emotion and behavior.” As dementia progresses, gentle touch can anchor an anxious or disoriented person in present time, space, and humanity. When used to gain a client’s attention or to guide a person toward an activity, touch can acknowledge a client’s stress, calm an agitated client, or provide a sense of security. In general, clients with dementia appreciate the use of touch.