2. OBJECTIVES
Define impairment
Describe appropriate communication
techniques for vision, hearing, speech and/or
physically impaired residents
Identify techniques to communicate with the
confused, withdrawn, depressed, restless, ag
itated or combative resident
Identify techniques to communicate with non-
English-speaking residents
Slide 2
3. IMPAIRMENT DEFINED
Any loss or abnormality of
psychological, physiological or anatomical
structure or function
Slide 3
4. OVERCOMING BARRIERS WITH VISION
Environment
Clean & free of clutter
Put things back where you found them
Do not rearrange
Keep glasses clean
Lighting!
Position self in front of resident – face to face
Explain everything that you are doing
Introduce self when entering; announce when leaving
Talk to resident, not someone else in room as if the
resident was not present
Serving meal – tell resident where items are located
Service dog – working,, not a pet Slide 4
5. OVERCOMING BARRIERS WITH HEARING
Face to face - lighting!
Make sure they have their glasses if they were them
Speak in normal tone of voice
Keep hands away from face, don’t chew gum or eat
Sit or stand on side with better hearing
Turn off other noise in room – TV, radio
Remember everyone hears less when ill or tired
Hearing Aids
Check for cleanliness & placement
Battery Life
Volume
On/Off
Slide 5
6. OVERCOMING BARRIERS WITH SPEECH
Listen & give full attention
Watch lip movement
Ask questions you know answer to – help
familiarize you with speech patterns
Face expressions can provide cues
Ask to repeat, if necessary
Repeat what you believe was said to verify
Ask to write down, if needed
Use pictures cards
Slide 6
7. OVERCOMING PHYSICAL BARRIERS
Identify impairment
Listen carefully & patiently
Speak directly to resident
Be sensitive to non-verbals
Avoid giving your own negative non-verbals
BE PATIENT – allow extra time
Slide 7
8. COMMUNICATING WITH THE DEPRESSED OR
WITHDRAWN
LISTEN
Use simple sentences
Spend time (quality) with the resident
Communicate at eye level
Be patient – allow time to speak
Respect feeling
Provide a safe environment
Slide 8
9. RESTLESS, AGITATED OR COMBATIVE
Stay calm and use a confident tone of voice
Show a positive attitude
Stay flexible
Be patient
Stay neutral
Remember – emotions are contagious between
you & the resident.
Do not use gestures that could startle or frighten
the resident
Slide 9
10. NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING
Speak slowly & clearly
Keep messages short & simple
Use gestures, pictures and/or photos
Seek assistance from family, friends, staff
and other residents who speak their
language
Be patient & calm
Be alert for signs that the resident is
“pretending” to understand.
Slide 10
11. BASIC FACTS & MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT
THE ELDERLY
NATCEP Day Five
Slide 11
12. OBJECTIVES
Describe the developmental tasks associated
with aging
Discuss facts about the elderly compared to
common misconceptions about aging
13. DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS IN AGING
Developing leisure activities & making new
friends
Adjusting to decreasing health & physical
strength
Adjusting to retirement & reduced income
Accepting oneself as an aging person
Adjusting to death of spouse, family & friends
Maintaining satisfactory living relationships
Realigning relationships with adult children
Finding meaning of life
Preparing for one’s death
14. BASIC FACTS
Life expectancy
http://www.livingto100.com/
Medical costs are rising
US Census
Percentage of population >65 years
2000: 13%
2030: 20% projected
Poor = 10%
Women largest subgroup
15. COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
Old age starts at 65
Most elderly live in LTCF
Hard of hearing
Slow to learn
Hard to get along with
Unproductive
Lonely
Confused
Don’t want to do things for themselves
