Helping families to use the principles of intensive interaction with people living with advanced dementia

This chapter explores the application of adaptive interaction, a communication approach derived from intensive interaction, for individuals living with advanced dementia. As verbal communication diminishes in dementia, traditional methods of interaction become less effective, leading to frustration and disconnection for both individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Adaptive interaction offers an alternative by focusing on non-verbal communication cues – such as facial expressions, gestures, and repetitive actions – recognising them as meaningful forms of interaction. The chapter presents findings from a training programme designed to teach family caregivers how to use adaptive interaction with their loved ones. Through qualitative analysis of pre- and post-training interviews, the study illustrates how participants shifted their perspectives on communication. Caregivers learned to identify and respond to non-verbal cues, fostering meaningful connections despite the loss of speech. Case studies highlight the profound emotional impact of adaptive interaction, as caregivers reframe their interactions to emphasise presence, responsiveness, and shared experiences over verbal exchange. By demonstrating the potential of adaptive interaction to sustain relationships and improve the quality of interactions, this chapter advocates for wider adoption of adaptive interaction training in dementia care. The findings underscore the importance of recognising retained communicative abilities, emphasising connection over content in caregiving relationships.