Communication Tips for Taking Care of the Elderly
Good communication makes for good relationships. As a caregiver, you know that conveying clear messages to your elderly family member is vital to ensuring their health and wellbeing. For example, you may need to share the instructions for taking the newly prescribed medication with your mother. If she is hard of hearing, you both can struggle to get through a meaningful conversation. Additionally, as seniors begin to sense their independence is threatened, they can become frustrated and combative. Help your aging loved one stay as independent as possible. Hire a professional home care worker to step in and help Mom or Dad with their daily needs.
5 Tips for Better Communication and Care of Seniors
Here are five tips to help you become a better caregiver for your parent:
- Focus on Adjusting Your Body Language: You say a lot when you don’t open your mouth. For instance, standing with your hands on your hips tells the other person you are irritated. Try sitting directly opposite your dad. This position helps you both hone in on the conversation. Look him in the eye while you speak. It helps you both decipher facial cues.
- Strive for Patience: You will have to repeat yourself – sometimes, a lot. The repetition can make you feel tired and frustrated, causing you to lose patience. Instead, take a deep breath, slow down your speech pattern, and pronounce your words slowly. Dad will be able to hear you better, and you can convey your message.
- Give Them Respect: Your opinions may differ, but it’s good to remember that this is still your parent. They raised you and deserve to be treated with respect. Keep this in mind when you are discussing things with them. Treating them like a child will get you nowhere; in fact, it will likely worsen the situation.
- Make Sure You Are Active Listening: It’s easy to let your mind wander when Dad starts talking. The better way to handle these moments is to engage with him. Ask him clarifying questions and use nods to encourage him to share more details with you. This reinforces that you respect him, and he will be more receptive to hearing what you have to say.
- Realize Your Senior will Have Sensory Issues: Mom’s hearing isn’t like it used to be. Dad may struggle with seeing the television screen clearly. These issues can affect how they take in information from you. It helps if you keep a keen awareness of their challenges.
Enhance Your Communications Skills as a Caregiver
Understanding how to communicate with your loved one will make caregiving much easier for you. Your senior will appreciate it, too. Sometimes, it helps to have extra support to ensure your mom or dad is well cared for. That’s where the skills of a trained personal support worker from Home Instead Hamilton come in handy. Our team stands ready to assist you and your senior with home care services tailored to your needs. Contact us today to learn more.
Call us at (905) 521-5500 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver, every day, to families in Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek and surrounding areas.