Tips to Communicate Effectively with the Elderly

Communicating with THE elderly: Two guiding principles to remember

Tips when communicating with the elderly

Speech Therapy at CGH

Communicating effectively with the elderly requires patience, understanding and adopting various strategies, especially if the elderly is further hampered by medical conditions.

Caring for the elderly is often challenging due to their communication difficulties, which are commonly caused by hearing impairment, changes in the brain (e.g. stroke and brain tumours) or declining memory, sight or vision. Medical conditions such as dementia and Parkinson's disease or structural body changes (e.g. trauma to head and neck) can also affect their communication.

Age-related vision impairment and hearing problems may result in difficulties in speaking, understanding, reading and/or writing. For example, hearing problems may make it harder for the elderly to know if someone is talking to them. They may also have difficulty following a conversation. Vision problems can make it difficult to read letters, newspapers and instructions on a medicine bottle.

The Speech Therapy Department at Changi General Hospital (CGH), a member of the SingHealth group, shares some useful tips on how to communicate effectively with the elderly.

Communicating with THE elderly: Two guiding principles to remember

Communication is a two-way street
The speaker and the listener are both responsible for improving the way they communicate with each other. Any conversation is a collaborative effort and it is never just one person's responsibility. Listening to one another is very important.
Adjust to support their difficulties
For example, for someone with a hearing problem, talking in a quiet room is often more effective. Hearing aids can also facilitate communication.

Tips when communicating with the elderly

Simplify the message.
Instead of using difficult words or medical terms, use simple words that are easier to understand when talking to them.
Assure them that they matter.
Communicate with kindness and involve them in the conversation.
Give information the way they like it.
Help them make informed decisions by sharing information in the manner they prefer. Drawing or doing a demonstration can be helpful.
Don't give too much information too quickly.
Avoid sharing too much information within a short period. Slow down and allow them to process the details as unfamiliar information can be hard to manage.

Speech Therapy at CGH

Older people with communication impairment arising from certain medical conditions may benefit from speech therapy. Speech therapists assess and treat patients who are facing difficulties with speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice and/or swallowing. Under the careful guidance of speech therapists, patients undergo a period of rehabilitation to maximise their communication.If there are concerns about your family member's ability to communicate, please consult a doctor to obtain a Speech Therapy referral for assessment, and to see if there are any specific strategies that can help.

You may also click on the links of the SingHealth Speech Therapy Departments with the relevant services to find out more or obtain contact details:

Changi General Hospital (CGH)

Sengkang General Hospital (SKH)

Singapore General Hospital (SGH)

Adapted from Caring magazine

Ref: O17