A new episode of Once Again, the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA) YouTube program, will be available Wednesday, Feb. 19, offering valuable insight into communicating with loved ones living with dementia.

The program is produced by the Wyoming Dementia Together (WDT) Caregiver Network and will feature Carol Taylor of Jackson, an expert in geriatric social work. Taylor has taught communication strategies throughout her career and has firsthand experience applying them.

The episode highlights the importance of ensuring that loved ones with dementia feel heard. “It is important to learn how we can best support our loved ones in assuring they are heard,” Taylor says. “There are several useful strategies. It is actually enlightened communication — or hearing beyond the spoken word — to help us read thoughts, words, and emotions. It’s also important to learn what works and why.”

One technique Taylor recommends is the AAAR approach: acknowledge, affirm, attend, and redirect. This method involves making direct eye contact, affirming what the person is saying or expressing, attending to their needs, and gently redirecting when necessary.

The Once Again program is part of WyCOA’s efforts to support caregivers through WDT, a network of dementia care professionals, social workers, therapists, and caregivers. Since launching in 2020, WDT has provided virtual sessions every other week, offering education and support to those caring for individuals with dementia.

Viewers can access the episode by searching for Wyoming Dementia Together – Once Again on YouTube. Subscribing to the channel and engaging with the content helps expand its reach to more caregivers.

For more information about free services offered by WDT, contact WyCOA at (307) 766-2829 or email wycoa@uwyo.edu.