Each generation seems to have its way of communicating, and whether you are a professional home care provider or just a family caregiver, it can seem impossible to communicate with a senior. On top of being a different generation, they may have other health problems that make it even harder to understand each other.
The most important thing you can do as a family caregiver is take your time, find the humor, and have patience when talking to your loved one. If you have hired a part-time home care provider for your senior mom or dad, always talk to them about what is happening, too. Sometimes, a senior may want to avoid listening to their adult child and may prefer listening to someone who is a professional. This can seem insulting, but it happens often, and you should never ignore it.
Here are some of the best tips and advice you can use when communicating with your senior loved one.
Turn Off Background Noise
It is almost impossible for anyone to truly pay attention to what they’re doing when there is a ton of background noise. This also means they are not understanding you if you are talking to them. Always ensure that the TV is off, the radio is silent, and it is a one-on-one conversation. This allows them to pay attention to you and for you to talk to them without being interrupted. Your loved one is more likely to understand what you’re saying and more likely to listen, which means you can better communicate what is going on in the weeks to come.
One of the best things you can do is talk to them one-on-one and tell home care so they can repeat the information you have just shared with your loved one. Sometimes, hearing something more than once is the best way to communicate and ensure your senior mom or dad knows what is happening.
Leave Notes
You can tell your mom or dad the plan, and there is still a good chance they will forget what you said. This can be so frustrating and leave you feeling hopeless and helpless when it comes to communication. So, the next best thing you can do is tell the other family members and the home care provider caring for your loved one. After that, you can also write it down and hang it on the fridge or use a family calendar on the wall with a notes section. This means your senior has not only heard the information multiple times, but they can now go back and reread what has been written. This is one of the best ways to ensure your loved one always knows what is going on.
Be Honest and Direct
Now, being direct does not mean you have to be unkind. You should always focus on patience and kindness, and you may have to repeat information several times until your senior mom or dad understands what you are saying. But the best way to communicate something is by being upfront about it. You need to think about what you’ll say and not tiptoe around what you mean. Find a kind and direct way to say the important information and repeat it as many times as necessary. These tips will help you connect with your loved one and also help them understand you better.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Paradise PA please contact the caring staff at Extended Family Care Lancaster today. Call (717) 391-6363
Extended Family Care Lancaster is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Lancaster, Pennsylvania including Columbia, Elizabethtown, Ephrata, Hershey, Lebanon, Lititz, Manheim, New Holland, and Paradise.
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