Learning Outcomes
Session Content
Introduction
Communication must be targeted, and diversified according to the person in front of you and their specific needs.
Communicating with an elderly person is therefore very different from communicating with a young colleague, an adult or a child.
The category of elderly people (together with children and disabled people) deserves a closer examination of the case, as it is a risk category with which to better target communication strategies.
Characteristics of the elderly person in the communication relationship
Even if they belong to a risk category, it is necessary first of all to overcome certain clichés that always see them as fragile, sick, confused, inactive people.
First of all, the general state of health must be considered (hearing, attention, sense of smell, memory, any medication in place, etc.).
Next, other peculiarities of the elderly person:
Communication and behavioural strategies to be adopted
Following on from this, here are a number of strategies to adopt and avoid in order to build a positive communication environment with the elderly person.
When communicating with an older person, non-verbal communication is crucial because it is even more evident how important it is to consider not only the content – the WHAT? -as well as the HOW, i.e. both the words used and the way in which they are spoken.
What to do
What not to do
A final fundamental consideration when dealing with an older person is to assess the social network and support around the person.
Try to solve the following quiz about Schulz von Thun’s communication model. Can you remember everything?
Take a look at the poster. Here, Schulz von Thun’s communication model is repeated again. Furthermore, a critical view of this model is given.
Read through the two reflection questions and try to answer them. There is no right or wrong way to answer the questions.