Older people with specific communication needs have an increased risk of experiencing functional decline in hospital. Identifying any functional or psychosocial barriers to communicating in hospital and responding to these will enable the older person to participate in their care, both in hospital and on discharge. Show
Vision and hearing lossIt is common for older patients to have vision and hearing impairments. These can be challenging during an inpatient stay and can limit a person’s confidence to participate in their care and ability to follow instructions, and may contribute to social withdraw.1 To reduce the risk of this happening:
Speech impairmentSpeech impairments range from mild (where there is only an occasional problem) to severe (when a person may have lost all ability to use and/or understand speech).
Cognitive impairmentsOlder people with cognitive impairments can communicate their wants and needs.
They’ve got to listen to the family in that situation, and it’s very
hard if they don’t, because you do know that person better than what they do, they’ve only met that person only just then. Culturally and linguistically diverse communitiesIn Victoria, a significant number of older people who use hospital services are from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Be aware that not having English as your first language can add an extra layer of complexity for an older person and their family, and may increase feelings of loneliness or isolation, both in and out of hospital.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait IslandersIn Australia, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders experience morbidities typically associated with advancing age, such as cardiovascular disease and dementia, up to 20 years earlier than non-Aboriginal people. Therefore, from the age of 45, functional decline in hospital is a concern for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Be mindful that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders come from a variety of cultural and personal backgrounds.5
1. DHHS, Ageing is everyone’s business: a report on isolation and loneliness among senior Victorians, 2016. 2. Tinney, D.J. Still Me: Being Old in Care, 2006. University of Melbourne. 3. OPA, Medical/dental treatment for patients who cannot consent the person responsible, 2012. 4. NARI, Kimberley Health Adults Project Guides for Clinicians, 2013. 5. Likupe, G. Communication with Older Ethnic Minority Patients, Nursing Standard, 2014. 28: 37-43. 6. Dudgeon, P., Ugle, K. Communicating and Engaging with Diverse Communities, in Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice, 2014. Ed. Dudgeon, P., Milroy H., Walker, R. Which communication technique should you use when speaking with elderly patients?Talk slowly and clearly in a normal tone. Shouting or speaking in a raised voice actually distorts language sounds and can give the impression of anger. Avoid using a high-pitched voice; it is hard to hear. Face the person directly, at eye level, so that he or she can lip-read or pick up visual clues.
Which is an example of a good communication technique when communicating with a patient who is deaf?Speak clearly, slowly, distinctly, but naturally, without shouting or exaggerating mouth movements. Shouting distorts the sound of speech and may make speech reading more difficult. Say the person's name before beginning a conversation.
Which technique can help patients understand your verbal communication?Active Listening
By using nonverbal and verbal cues such as nodding and saying “I see,” nurses can encourage patients to continue talking. Active listening involves showing interest in what patients have to say, acknowledging that you're listening and understanding, and engaging with them throughout the conversation.
Which is part of the six strategies for achieving openness when communicating with patients?Pharmacists can achieve openness by applying six strategies with patients (listen, acknowledge, wonder) and themselves and professional colleagues (recognize, question, reflect). Conclusion: Patients want to be heard and seen as individuals with unique experiences and responses to medications.
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