Scottsdale Guide: Effective Communication with the Elderly

When communicating with the elderly, there can be many challenges. Some of the barriers to communication are obvious, but some can be more subtle and more difficult to overcome. But by doing the work to educate yourself and become aware of the barriers, it can be easier to deal with them and then engage in effective communication with elderly loved ones and those you provide care to.

People are commonly under the assumption that all elderly adults struggle with hearing loss, which causes many to not even try to communicate with them in the first place. And for those seniors who do begin to lose their hearing, hearing aids are available. If communicating with a senior who has a hearing aid, make sure to focus on the conversation and give each other your full attention while looking at each other. This will help your loved one to read your expressions, as well as more clearly understand what you’re saying.

There are some medical conditions like strokes, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological impairments that can cause communication problems. In this case, it is important to remember that just because they can’t form complete words or sentences easily, it does not mean they can’t think, listen or feel. They are most likely as smart as they always were, but the inability to speak makes it difficult or impossible to adequately communicate their thoughts.

Language moves and evolves quickly. Spend any amount of time with a 16 year old or younger, and try to keep track of all the slang terms and expressions that you may just be hearing for the first time in your life. Keep this in mind when speaking with the older generation, as well as keeping in mind that you may inadvertently be using confusing medical terms when discussing their health and doctor’s orders.