Tips on Communicating With Older People...

My mother's nursing home provided this interesting article on: "Tips for Communication with Residents." I found the list interesting, so I'm passing it along...

Approach from the front.
Establish who you are.
Get permission to enter the person's space.
Sit down, make eye contact.
Focus on the person. Slow the pace...let them set the pace.
Take time...make time.
Speak so the person can see and hear you.
Be clear in what you are saying and how you say it.
Listen, remember - silence is golden.
Be sensitive to feelings.


Don't tease - remember they will take it literally.
Don't call them "funny" names.
Don't patronize.
Minimize distraction.
Use an object as an intermediary.
Go with whatever subjects they suggest.
Listen to the same old story as often as it is told.
Always thank them for the great privilege, fun, experience, and nhonour it is to be with them.
Understand how the person communicates.
Assume that the person understands - especially with regard to emotional messages, even if they don't respond.

(Taken from "Gentle Care" Hush No Rush 1999)