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Communication

Visiting in the resident's room can provide you with some needed privacy, but always visiting there can be boring. Use your imagination to pick places to visit. Varying where you visit can also add different activities to your list.

	Sit by a window and discuss what you see.
	Join in with a unit activity program.
	Visit in the lobby or in one of the lounges.
	Walk in the hallways.
	Go outside.
	Bring the resident to your house or go to the local mall or tourist attraction.
	If the resident would appreciate a movie or a concert, go for a night out!
	Take the resident out for a meal or tea at a restaurant, making sure you avoid peak times.

1. sensory deficits (hearing, vision)
2. physical disabilities
3. the memory changes in the resident

Here are some ideas:

	Learn all you can about the specific communication problems that your family member/friend has, along with action you can take to reduce the effect of the problems. (For example, should you sit on a certain side of the person to accommodate a hearing loss?).
	Create a comfortable environment-physically and emotionally ~ for both of you.
	Place yourself at eye level with the resident.
	Use you normal conversational voice when speaking.
	Do not talk "baby talk".
	If you or the resident needs a hearing aid, glasses or a communication board, make sure they are in place and working before you start.
	If the resident doesn't understand what you are saying, try using different words.
	Be patient ~ your family member/friend may need time to take in the information, understand and come up with an answer. If your family member/friend has trouble expressing him or herself. Make a reasoned guess at what the person is trying to say and see if he or she concurs with a nod of the head. Try to avoid asking information ~ seeking question, such as: "what did you do today?" Instead of questions, use statement, such as: "you look nice today" or "that is a pretty sweater".
	If your family member/friend has experienced memory changes: Use a calm, reassuring voice. Use short, simple sentences. Be clear. Break down instructions into steps. Give instructions one step at a time. Provide visual cues through gestures or pictures. Don't give too many choices. Watch the residents' non-verbal communication for clues. As language skills deteriorate, place less emphasis on expecting answers and more emphasis on how much the resident appears to achieve contentment and pleasure from the conversation. Be receptive to changes in mood or behaviour and adjust what you do and say accordingly.

We tend to think of communication as "talking". But remember, non-verbal communication is equally, if not more important. Try a hug if all else fails.

Remember;
You don't have to fill every second
of the visit with conversation.
Just being together may be enough.

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211 Heritage Drive, S.E.; Calgary, Alberta T2H 1M9
Last Updated: Saturday December 27, 2003 06:08 AM, Pacific Time