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There's an art involved in communicating with elderly patients.
While seniors present unique circumstances, communication with them isn't just about getting the job done.
It's about starting a meaningful connection that goes beyond simply providing care.
In our last blog post, we talked about love languages.
Today, we will discuss how understanding love languages can help improve communication with elderly patients.
Communication is important in any relationship.
As a caregiver, understanding love languages and using them when communicating with seniors is necessary.
Communicating with seniors according to their love language helps them feel valued and loved. It also builds trust and strengthens your relationship with your charge.
This can also be helpful for seniors who may be feeling isolated or struggling with physical or mental health issues.
The right communication strategy creates a supportive and caring environment for seniors. In turn, it can improve their overall well-being and happiness.
It can be as simple as using kind words, offering physical touch or affection, or simply spending quality time with them.
But like any relationship, it all starts with communicating their needs and them feeling seen and heard.
So I'm sharing with you the best practices you can use as a caregiver to improve your relationship with your seniors.
We all have different ways of communicating and interacting with each other.
Different factors such as age, sex, culture, and family background can affect how we speak or converse.
But what matters most is how we understand and hear each other out.
Often caregivers need to rely on verbal and non-verbal cues, especially when dealing with senior patients.
Because of this, I'm sharing my five tips on improving our communication with our elders to serve them better.
Take note, communication with seniors can be more challenging due to their physical or cognitive limitations.
They may have difficulty hearing, speaking, or processing information, making conversations more difficult.
Some may be more reserved than others. They may also feel hesitant to express their opinions due to cultural upbringings.
Some elders are more outgoing or assertive.
So be sure to extend your patience and know their communication styles. This will make it easier for them to open up and trust you.
It is important to speak with seniors in simple language, but be mindful not to appear condescending.
Keeping the conversation simple does not mean simplifying it for the sake of avoiding any complications.
Rather, it is about respecting the senior's experiences and being generous with how you communicate by speaking with them clearly and effectively.
An awareness of how another person might feel about something can be very powerful.
That is why simple language should always be used when conversing with seniors to help both parties achieve better understanding and connection.
Respect is one of the keys to seniors feeling comfortable enough to open up to you.
Most of the time, we think they are feeble because of their age. But as long as they are of the right mind and health, allow them to practice their autonomy.
Let them make decisions for themselves and be supportive of their actions.
Doing this can help foster deeper and more meaningful relationships with you as a caregiver.
Mutual respect for their independence can create an understanding and collaborative space for you.
Thus making it easier for them to open up and ask for your help.
Here's a sad fact.
As we age, we often make assumptions about what seniors say and mean without listening fully and objectively.
This can be frustrating, especially for seniors who have difficulty saying what they mean.
We must be careful to avoid this practice, as it often results in misunderstandings.
Remember, it is much more effective to actively listen and respond quickly with reasoned, rational thoughts.
Being conscious of our reactions in interactions with seniors can diffuse friction and avoid conflict.
Remember, their are always nuggets of wisdom we can receive from someone with more experience than us. You never know what you'll pick up.
This may be a bit more difficult, especially when you're a family member taking care of a senior loved one.
There's a saying that family, especially elder parents, trigger us the most because they're the ones who put the buttons there.
So it can be challenging to be levelheaded when dealing with parents.
But you know what? You always have a choice about how to respond.
Remind yourself that you don't have to take things personally.
Some people have sharp tongues and sour attitudes. But you don't have to take it to heart.
It's not about you, but it's all about them.
If you're having difficulty keeping a positive attitude around your aging parents or seniors, here are 15 gratitude journal prompts to help you realign your thoughts.
If you're struggling to communicate with seniors, remember that it's not always easy.
Try making adjustments and see how it goes - you might be surprised at the results.
In the end, it will benefit you both.
Watch out for our next post, where we'll give more tips about keeping your seniors aging in place, healthy and happy.
That's all for today.
Take care, keep mom safe and have a great day!
Winn
I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy and have been working with the 70+ age group for over a decade. I will share my knowledge and experience to give you ideas to care for your aging parents. Read more >>