Communication With the Elderly
Effective communication is a critical component in the delivery of quality care. Its significance in enabling proper understanding of the needs of the patients as well as the status of the patients in their accounts underpins its necessity in the care delivery process. The approach to communication differs across various patient groups, with some requiring a more intensive approach than others. The elderly are such groups that require special considerations in the communication process. This paper analyzes the communication process between healthcare providers and elderly patients.
Communication with the elderly can utilize verbal communication as well as written communication. The choice of the communication mode to be adopted when communicating with the elderly depends on their hearing and speaking abilities and physical and mental states. Verbal communication utilizes words and entails speaking with these persons. On the other hand, written communication utilizes notes or any written document that can convey whichever information is being conveyed by either side (Caris-Verhallen et al., 2017). In both scenarios, keen considerations need to be made to ensure the comfort of the elderly individuals, allow extra time for the communication process, and maintain clarity and freedom from ambiguity.
The most effective mode of communication while addressing the elderly is verbal communication. Verbal communication ensures a better understanding of the information delivered from either side and enables quick explanation of any point that may not have been properly comprehended. It also enables quick reception of feedback once it is delivered and thus saves the time required for the communication process. On the other hand, written communications are tedious and may present a lot of ambiguity. It also requires more time since obtaining feedback depends on the individual’s writing speed. It also lacks a direct relationship that is obtainable in verbal communication (Friedman, 2020. Written communications are often adopted when an individual’s speaking and hearing capabilities are compromised.
Communication is an essential tool in clinical practice. The various modes of communication are verbal and written communication. Verbal communication involves speech and depends on the older patient’s ability to hear and speak effectively. Written communication may involve notes or any written document. It is an alternative to verbal communication, especially when hearing and speaking abilities compromise is evident.
References
Caris-Verhallen, W., Kerkstra, A., & Bensing, J. (2017). Nurse-elderly patient communication in-home care and institutional care. Patient Education And Counseling, 34, S19. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0738-3991(98)90037-4
Friedman, D. (2020). Do words matter? A focus on communication and aging. Journal Of Women & Aging, 32(4), 361-364. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952841.2020.1764298
ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE
We’ll write everything from scratch
Question 
Communication With the Elderly
Communication with the elderly can be challenging.
Communication With the Elderly
- Identify at least two modes of communication you have used with the elderly in your clinical practice.
- State what modes of communication were effective and which modes were challenging. Explain why.