Communicating with older adults

Here are a few tips for improving your communication with the seniors you care for, even as their own skills begin to deteriorate.

• Treat the person as a mature adult. Avoid speaking in a condescending, child-like or belittling way, which creates tension and resentment.
• Speak at a medium volume unless asked to speak up. Yelling right away can seem demeaning.
• Listen actively to understand. Ask questions to clarify, add positive interjections, or summarize their words. Give them an opportunity to correct you.
• Maintain eye contact, but don’t stare.
• Observe their nonverbal cues and control your own, especially those indicating frustration, boredom or anger.
• Use touch to offer encouragement and support, however, only according to each person’s individual comfort level.
• Smile!