COMMUNICATION

WITH ELDERLY

BIMA AS
OBJECTIVES LEARNING
• Understand the impact that sensorimotor, cognitive, and
psychological changes associated with aging have on communication
with older adults.
• Communicate effectively, respectfully, and compassionately with
older adults
WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?
Communication is composed of a
number of physiological processes,
specifically, listening, speaking,
gesturing, reading, writing,
touching, and moving. It also
involves cognitive processes such
as attention, memory, self-
awareness, organization, and
reasoning (Mauk, 2006)
WHAT’S DIFFERENCES
COMMUNICATION IN ELDERLY??
1. Vision
2. Hearing
3. Speech and Language
4. Touch and Movement
5. Cognitive and Psychological change
1.VISION
• Changes in lens, pupil, and iris; results in poor visual acuity,
presbyopia and increased sensitivity to light and glare.
• Declining visual skills may result in gradual isolation and a
decrease in exchange of communication with the
environment
• important to position objects within their visual field
• give them a verbal indication of the actions you are about to
take, to avoid startling or scaring them needlessly
2. HEARING
• Conductive problems
• Sensorineural problems
• Persistent exposure to noise pollution.
• Exposure to Ototoxic Substances
• It's can lead to negative outcomes such as decreased quality
of life, depression, loneliness, impaired communication, and
isolation
• Do not shout, Limit background noise, The use of other
modes of communication, such as gestures or touch, also
might be helpful
3. SPEECH AND LANGUAGE
• With age, normal changes in speech and language occur as a result of
physiological and cognitive changes.
• Changes in speech or the ability to use language may result from
disease or injury, Dysarthria , Verbal apraxia , Aphasia, Other
medical conditions may also result in impairment in speech
• Position yourself in close proximity to the elderly person, and face
him or her so that eye contact is maintained and facial expressions
and body language are easily conveyed.
• be open and prepared to using multiple forms of communication,
such as body language, writing, or pictorial information.
4. TOUCH AND MOVEMENT
• Touch, pressure, vibration, pain, and temperature are sensations that we receive through our skin
and are part of the somatosensory system.
• Medical conditions associated with aging, such as dementia, diabetes, arthritis, and Parkinson’s
disease, may exacerbate changes in the somatosensory system.
• With touch we can understood what the elderly feel.

• Movement is an important ability that fosters independence and promotes interaction and
understanding of the environment.
• Movement is a function of many variables, such as posture, balance, flexibility, tone, strength,
sensory integration, reflexes, and motor planning
• Important to assesses Activities of daily living (ADLs) are basic tasks that one needs to
perform in order to survive.
5. COGNITIVE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL
1. Delirium
2. Dementia
3. Depression
COMMUNICATION THERAPEUTIC
The basic principles are
1. Invite conversation  interest, give time, trust
2. Start with open questions
3. Arrange environment  depend on barrier, comfortable,
provide privacy, and minimize distractions
4. Maximize communication  speak clear, slowly, and repeat
if nesscesary, use familiar terminology
5. Maximize understanding  learn to listen
6. Follow up and Follow through
REFERENCE
• Mauk, K. L. (2006). Gerontological Nursing.
• National institute on Aging, & National Institutes of Health. (2008). Talking With
Your Older Patient, 61. Retrieved from
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/talking-your-older-patient/talking-
about-sensitive-subjects
• Cunningham, M. (2004). Old is a three-letter word. Geriatric Nursing. Vol. 25