Communication with Cognitively Impaired Clients

People with cognitive impairment struggle with poor intellectual functioning and have difficulty communicating and understanding what others are saying to them. Confusion sets in and they can become disoriented to person, place, situation, and time. While each person is unique, those who are cognitively impaired lack organized thought processes and the ability to establish progressive personal goals. Working with a client who has a significant degree of cognitive impairment can be difficult. When caring for someone who is confused, afraid, uncooperative, and aggressive, it is important for health care professionals to recognize the client is doing the best that they can at that given moment.