Augmentative and alternative communication for greater participation in old age

Supported painting
Photo: C. Fischer

Communication not only involves the exchange of thoughts and feelings, but also forms the basis for social participation. This is a major challenge for people with complex disabilities, as they often have difficulty expressing themselves clearly or being understood by those around them. In Germany alone, it is estimated that there are around 400,000 adults who are unable to communicate verbally. This can result in isolation and frustration as well as aggressive or self-harming behavior. This is precisely where the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) comes in: It opens up non-verbal communication opportunities for people with limited communication skills through the use of targeted gestures, images or technical aids, thereby promoting their individual ability to make contact with the world around them. In addition, the UK does not view the situation in isolation as a problem for those affected, but also integrates the social environment into the interventions.

However, this approach has so far rarely been used to support older people - even though the problems described are increasing due to age-related illnesses such as dementia. A new, three-year research project by the non-profit association "Netzwerk komplexe Behinderung" aims to close this gap. Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Tobias Bernasconi (University of Cologne), a team is developing practice-oriented materials that are specifically tailored to the needs of older people with complex disabilities. An innovative "communication kit" is intended to help both professionals and relatives to promote the interaction possibilities of those affected and thus also contribute to a better quality of life. All documents and research results will be made available via the existing online platform "Quality Offensive Participation", which was developed in a project at Humboldt University Berlin that was also funded by SAGST. In addition, the dissemination via scientific channels is also intended to provide lasting impetus in specialist circles for the support of this special target group.