Whether you go to visit a grandfather, or provide assistance to the elderly, the presence of diseases related to advancing age can represent an obstacle to the communication process. Diseases such as senile dementia and hearing loss, along with the effects of medications can make both communication and understanding more difficult. In moments of lack of clarity, interactions can become a source of frustration and apparent helplessness. However, there are systems you could adopt to facilitate communication with the elderly and put them at ease.
Steps
Step 1. Be aware of the person's health problems
Some older adults have disorders that involve a variety of difficulties in speaking and understanding. Make sure of his status before starting a conversation. For example, they may have hearing problems, speech problems and memory loss. These factors make communication more difficult. And remember that the chronological age is not always a true indicator of the health of the subject (read the Warnings).
Step 2. Evaluate the place where you are talking
Make sure you consider the environment that could be a hindrance to communication. Is there a disturbing background noise? Are there many people talking in the same room? Is there any annoying music? Are there any distractions that could disrupt communication? Ask the elder if he feels comfortable. If you feel discomfort, try to move to a quieter, quieter place.
Step 3. Speak clearly and make eye contact
Older people can suffer from hearing disorders. It is important to articulate and articulate the words well. Speak directly to the subject - not from the side. Don't eat your words - move your lips and say each word carefully and precisely. When the tongue "dances" inside the mouth it means that you are expressing yourself more clearly. If the tongue "sleeps" and plays a passive role, it is likely that it is not articulating sounds well.
Step 4. Adjust the pitch of your voice appropriately
There is a difference between spelling and speaking out loud. Try to match the tone of your voice to the person's needs. Evaluate the environment and what impact it has on the person's hearing abilities. Don't yell simply because the listener is older. Treat the individual with respect by articulating and speaking in a tone of voice that is appropriate for both of you.
Step 5. Formulate clear and precise questions and sentences
Do not hesitate to repeat or rephrase the sentences and questions if you notice that they are not understood. Complex questions and sentences can confuse seniors who have a short memory or have hearing problems. Clear and precise sentences are easier to assimilate.
- Use direct questions: "Did you eat soup for lunch?", "Did you eat salad for lunch?" instead of, "What did you eat for lunch?" The more precise you are in the language, the less difficulty the elderly person will encounter in understanding you.
- Reduce the superfluous in sentences and questions. Limit sentences and questions to 20 words or less. Don't use jargon or interlayers ("well" and "you know" are just a few examples). Your sentences must be concise and straight to the point.
- Avoid overlapping ideas and questions. Try to organize your ideas and questions logically. If you put too many concepts together you could confuse the elderly. Express one idea and one message at a time. For example, "It's a good idea to call Carlo, your brother. Later we could call Paola, your sister." A more complex construct would be: "I think we should call your brother, Carlo, sooner and later we could call your sister Paola."
Step 6. If possible, use visual aids
If an elderly person has hearing or memory problems, it is important to be creative. Visual aids help. Show the subject what or who you are talking about. For example, it might be better to say, "Do you have back pain?" - pointing to your back - or "Do you have stomach pain?" - pointing to your stomach - instead of just asking "Is something hurting you?".
Step 7. Go slow, be patient and smile
A sincere smile shows that you are understanding. It also creates a loving atmosphere. Remember to take breaks between sentences and questions. Give the subject the opportunity to understand and assimilate the information and questions. This is a particularly good technique if a person is suffering from memory loss. When you take a break, you show respect and patience.
Advice
- Remember that physical contact and human warmth are often worth more than words.
- Take cultural heritage and traditions into consideration. For example, in some cultures, it is considered irreverent to make eye contact with older people. In this case, a younger person should sit next to them and look forward.
- If the elder agrees, you may want to see a speech therapist and / or audiologist. These are experienced professionals in the field of audiological diagnostics and therapy and speech disorders.
- Remember that a few words that express love and respect mean a lot to them because at that age what they really need is love, attention and respect.
Warnings
- Never act "outdated" like the person in front of you. Older people also have feelings and are human beings like everyone else. Treat them with respect and kindness.
- Not all older adults suffer from these ailments! There are many who enjoy perfect physical and mental health. Use these strategies only if you feel that the elderly person has communication problems, otherwise you could offend him.
