Are You Communicating as Effectively as Possible with Your Aging Adult?

At times, you might find that it becomes difficult to communicate with your elder family member. You may find yourselves at odds more often or you might feel as if you just can’t get your senior to understand what you’re trying to tell her.

Elder Care Salisbury NC – Are You Communicating as Effectively as Possible with Your Aging Adult?

Encourage Her to Use Assistive Devices

If your elder needs glasses, hearing aids, or other types of assistive devices that help her communicate, encourage her to use them. Many times your aging family member might dislike these aids or find them irritating to have to use. They’ll make her life easier, so it’s better to use them.

Match Your Body Language to What You’re Saying

Many people use body language that is closed down or otherwise different from what they’re actually saying. What happens when you do that with your elder, even accidentally, is that you confuse her and you make communication even more difficult. Look at your body language and make it as open and non-confrontational as possible.

Use Vocabulary Your Elder Understands

If you’re consistently using words and phrasing that your senior doesn’t understand, then communication is naturally going to be difficult. You don’t need to talk down to your elderly family member, but make sure that your word choices are matching up with what she understands for best results.

Avoid Fibbing or Outright Lying

Some caregivers try to sugarcoat situations or use fibs to get around having to tell their aging family member the whole truth. The problem with that is that the truth has a way of coming out. If your elderly family member feels that she can’t trust you, then future communications are going to be extremely difficult.

Don’t Argue

You can’t communicate well with your senior if you’re arguing with her. Some people simply like to argue, and if that describes your elderly family member, then you already know that she has that habit. Engaging in arguing behavior is just going to make it all worse.

Give Positive Feedback as Often as You Can

Most people do so much better when they’re exposed to positive feedback from the people they care about. Your aging adult is the same way. Take every opportunity that you can to give her encouraging feedback. You’ll both love the impact that has on your elder and her confidence.

If you’re still having trouble ask a neutral third party, such as elder care providers, help you determine where you’re missing the mark. They have experience in talking with aging adults and can often spot big obstacles that you’re hitting.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Salisbury NC, please contact the caring staff at TenderHearted Home Care today. (704) 612-4132.