Top 6 Causes of Communication Problems With Seniors
Identifying Communication Problems
Lack of proper communication is one of the biggest hurdles in elderly care. It can lead to frustration in both the elder person and their caregiver. There are several reasons why communication become less effective with older people. However, most of the communication reasons are due to their reduced hearing capacity or inability to express their thoughts clearly. Since communication involves a clear exchange of information involving two parties, a gap exists when one of either parties fail to function.
Reduced communication skills are one of the results of aging, which is something that is beyond our control. However, our ability to identify the source of the problem will consequently determine the steps we need to take in order to resolve them. Solutions can be as simple as finding alternative means to communicate outside of verbal signals, or as intricate as medical treatment.
Cause of Communication Problems
There are various reasons why aging people lose their ability to communicate properly. Here are some of the most common reasons for them:
- Structural or neurological damage – This condition is often caused by other diseases such as brain lesions, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or strokes. According to A Place for Mom, Stroke Related Aphasia may cause communication concerns. Aphasia is a disorder that impairs one’s ability to use and understand language. The leading cause of aphasia is stroke, and one in four people who have a stroke will develop aphasia according the National Stroke Association.
- Failing hearing – When people age, they undergo anatomical changes. Reduced hearing capacity is a natural effect involved with the natural aging process. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), one in three people over age 60 experience hearing problems, and that figure increases to 50% in seniors over 80. Hearing loss can be most problematic when it’s not recognized. When an elder lacks proper hearing capacity, they do not recognize when someone is talking nor understand clearly the information being relayed. There are hearing aids available to produce sharper sense of hearing.
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia may greatly hinder communication and understanding when areas of the brain responsible for speech and comprehension are damaged.
- Vision problems or failing eyesight – an older person having difficulty reading written communication, as the print may be too small, or unable to recognize the words on the page.
- Effect of medications – This cause for communication problems is reversible. Taking medicines often produce adverse effects on the elders such that they become easily fatigued or confused. Therefore, they find it difficult to understand communicative patterns.
- Parkinson’s Disease may have an impact on communication. Parkinson’s disease affects about 1% of seniors over 60 in the U.S. In Parkinson’s patients, damage to a region of the brain called the basal ganglia often causes speech problems. These problems can manifest themselves as voice changes, problems with articulation, and reduced fluency. Although it’s usually not until the later stages of the illness that these problems can cause the sufferer to become unintelligible.
Improving Communication
If you are faced with communication problems involved in caring for your loved ones, then it is important to figure out the proper method of dealing with such communication lapses. Below are a few principles you can apply:
- Understand the two-way process of communication. An effective communication involves a clear exchange of information between the speaker and hearer, therefore both have to cooperate in seeing results. It is both individual’s responsibility, not just one.
- Make some communication adjustments. When you notice that problems exist or that you are not communicating properly, take action. Adjust your communication pattern by first identifying where the source of problem is.
- If the communication is due to Alzheimer’s, sometimes therapies can, at least temporarily, improve communication skills among people with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Non-Verbal Communication and Aids
Once you have determined the source of the communication problem, you can minimize their effects by enlisting the help of some devices and aids designed specifically to cater to better communication.
Here are a few you can try if you’re having problems communicating when caring for an elderly:
- Eyeglasses and hearing aids: Is recommended for elders who are suffering from failing hearing and eyesight.
- Using writings or pictures instead of spoken communication: Doing this will help prevent create frustration on both parties, since the elderly person will be able to comprehend what you are trying to communicate without having to repeat yourself.
- As noted by A Place for Mom, one can use “Low-tech augmentative and alternative communication” (low-tech ACC) aims to help patients with more advanced speech problems. ACC uses a strategy known as alphabet supplementation, where “a speaker points to the first letter of each word on an alphabet sound board as it is spoken.”
When To Get Help?
If you have done all the procedures indicated above and you are still having communication problems with elderly care, then it might be time to seek professional help. Asking for professional help must be done during the following circumstances:
• When an elderly person have difficulty speaking, understanding, or communicating as a whole.
• When an elderly person exhibits unusual sound of voice that is neither caused by a cold or flu.
• When their speech becomes incomprehensible.
• When they fail to respond clearly.
In closing, reduced communication skills are one of the results of aging, but there are some simple steps as noted above to assist with communicating with our loved ones. Remember to share this post on social media and read more related articles.
Sources:
A Place for Mom; http://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/ailments-that-impede-seniors-communication-05-21-2013/
National Institute of Health
National Stroke Association
