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13 PRACTICAL TIPS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH OLDER ADULTS

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Therapists, family members, and other healthcare providers need to understand how effective communication with older adults can impact their health.

Older adults often experience communication difficulties, resulting from their inability to express themselves efficiently and the inability of the person they are communicating with to understand them. 

Hearing impairment due to old age, memory loss, speech disabilities, stroke, etc., are some common causes of communication difficulties for older adults.

Communication difficulties can harm their health by preventing them from accurately conveying their health concerns. This might also prevent the care provider from taking proper medical histories and reconciliations.

Believe it or not, older adults can get frustrated, too, and this can be aggravated when they don’t feel heard or understood. Frustration can lead to low confidence, increase the feeling of being a burden, cause depression, and reduce quality of life.

Fortunately, several tips can be utilized to ensure proper communication with older adults.

What makes communication difficult for older adults?

There are different causes of communication difficulties in older adults, including:

1. Hearing loss

As we age, our hearing might decline. Presbycusis is an age-related hearing loss that occurs gradually.

It’s like the radio getting weaker, making it harder to hear what people are saying. This can make it challenging to follow conversations and lead to communication difficulties.

2. Vision problems

Over time, our eyes weaken, and our eye muscles lose flexibility and strength. As a person ages, the chances of age-related vision loss, such as presbyopia, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma, increase. 

Vision loss can affect communication due to the inability to read visual cues like facial expressions and other non-verbal types of communication.

3. Cognitive decline

Older adults can experience cognitive decline because, like the rest of the body, the brain also experiences changes due to aging.

This can make it harder to find the right words, understand what others are saying, and recall things. 

4. Speech impairment

Many older adults experience speech disorders like apraxia (AOS), dysarthria, spasmodic dysphonia, etc.

This can result from underlying medical conditions, declining cognitive abilities, or accidents. Speech disorders in older adults can lead to slurred, stuttered, or slow speech, making it hard for others to understand them even if they’re saying the right words.

Tips for improving communication with older adults

Here are the practical tips you need to improve communication with older adults:

1. Get their attention.

Although brain fog is not a medical disorder in older adults, it can cause them to lose focus, space out, and have reduced concentration.

Before you start communicating, and even while communicating, ensure you have their attention. 

You could say their name, gently touch their arm, and maintain eye contact to detect when they’re no longer with you.

This ensures you maintain the communication flow.

2. Speak clearly and slowly.

Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Speaking too fast can make it difficult for older adults to follow and understand you.

Remember that brain function at their age is not as quick as when they were younger.

You should also speak as clearly as possible, enunciating your words and ensuring they are loud enough. 

Avoid mumbling, as this can make it difficult for older adults to understand your words.

3. Use simple language.

Avoid using heavy words, technical terms, or complex vocabulary during communication with older adults. 

Stick to simple, everyday language that is easy to understand.

4. Use short sentences.

Break down your message into short sentences. 

For example, if you want to give them a rundown of their medical condition after an assessment, try summarizing your main points instead of using lengthy paragraphs and breaking them down into subpoints.

This helps prevent confusion and makes it easier for them to understand you.

5. Use positive language.

When communicating with an older adult, you should keep the positivity, even when delivering not-so-positive news.

Keep in mind the line between healthy and toxic positivity. 

Avoid using condescending language, as this can be hurtful and demotivating. 

6. Be patient.

We all know patience is a virtue. However, when communicating with older adults, patience becomes a necessity.

Give them ample time to process the information and respond appropriately. If their response is not appropriate, patiently go over the information again.

Avoid interrupting or rushing them, as this can result in frustration.

7. Listen actively.

Active listening is an essential communication skill, especially when dealing with older adults.

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During the conversation, pay close attention to what they say verbally and nonverbally. 

Show that you are engaged by nodding, making eye contact, and asking questions. 

This demonstrates respect and acknowledgment and encourages them to express themselves fully without fear of being downgraded or ridiculed.

8. Use nonverbal communication.

Pay attention to your body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Maintain eye contact, smile, and use appropriate gestures to convey your message.

Visual aids are another form of nonverbal communication, and they can be helpful when communicating with an older adult with hearing impairment.

9. Use humor appropriately.

If and when appropriate, use gentle humor to lighten the mood and create a relaxed atmosphere. 

However, avoid jokes that could be offensive or hurtful.

The use of certain phrases and expressions, even for jokes, can be culturally inappropriate, so understanding their cultural differences can help you determine the kind of jokes that will be appropriate at each moment.

10. Be respectful.

Treat older adults with dignity and respect

Avoid using patronizing language or making assumptions about their abilities. 

Be respectful, and let them express themselves without judgment.

Show empathy and understanding for their experience.

11. Be aware of their cognitive limitations.

Some older adults may experience cognitive decline or memory loss, which can affect them differently.

Be aware of their specific cognitive limitations and tailor your communication strategy appropriately.

12. Avoid distractions.

Most older adults experience a shorter attention span and will be easily distracted.

For effective communication with older adults, minimize or eliminate background noise and distractions to help them focus on the conversation. 

Turn off the TV or radio, and find a quiet place to talk.

13. Summarize important points.

When you have conveyed your message, you can summarize the key points to ensure proper understanding and retention. 

This also allows them to ask questions or clarify any confusion.

Also, if the summarized points are in a note, you can pass them on to their loved ones, especially if they relate to managing their health.

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Conclusion

Implementing the practical tips discussed in this blog post will help you communicate effectively with older adults.

Another crucial tip when speaking with older adults is recognizing their cognitive limitations. This will enable you to tailor your communication strategy to them, leading to more effective communication.

For example, using positive language or humor to help an older adult with hearing loss will not make a difference. However, using nonverbal communication will be more effective.

Improving communication with older adults will help them feel heard and understood, reduce frustration, and improve their overall quality of life.

Have questions about your loved one? Contact us at info@serenitypas.com to get answers to your questions.

READ MORE: 11 EFFECTIVE SPEECH THERAPY EXERCISES FOR ADULTS