Families in Lilburn can get help with communication challenges caused by changes in hearing by utilizing a CarePro’s expertise in advance communication and consistency, as well as other strategies. In the meantime, family members can work to ensure that communication with their loved one is carried out in a consistent manner across all caregivers. The caregiver is not authorized to diagnose or treat any conditions related to hearing, and families are strongly urged to consult a qualified professional.
Communication challenges caused by hearing loss can occur in mundane and trivial situations. Simple things like responding to questions or carrying out instructions can become a burden when caregivers fail to maintain the line of communication with the person. Distractions during family mealtimes can make conversations a challenge when the caregivers fail to monitor background activities.
Treating communication challenges caused by hearing loss by speech substitution or assuming that an inability to communicate independently means a complete loss of independence is not the solution. The communication line should be assessed to see where the challenges are and what can be done to ensure the person feels part of the communication exchange.
Background communication can be reduced by the caregiver’s conscious effort to gain the person’s attention before communicating. Making the person the first and only person to receive communication can significantly reduce the need for caregivers to repeat communications. Standing in the person’s line of sight can make the caregiver’s communication load lighter.
Avoid shouting. Loud talking may make you feel like you’re more in control of the interaction, but shouting is generally a social faux pas, and may even make the other person uncomfortable.
Natural volume and pace are important.
Face the person speaking to you, and create as noise free of an environment as possible.
If you must provide several ideas, give them one at a time. Allow for a sufficient break between ideas so the other person can formulate a response to each.
Make adjustments to your speech for clarity, but understand your right to control the conversation.
The ability to communicate thoughts and preferences does not always require normal hearing. Many people with hearing loss can still speak with great clarity. Older adults are very skilled at figuring out methods of communicating with the hearing aids that they have, and they are often willing to provide the information when asked.
Home Instead Care Plans provide consistency and can incorporate the communicative preferences of the client.
There are aids such as note taking and repetition that can be very effective in communicating important messages. Often times, notes are given in addition to and to reinforce discussion.
Examples of important messages that should always be clear to everyone involve time and date information. Examples of messages that should always be clear to a person include medication information, directions to a location, and a schedule of the day.
For example, if an older adult asks what time an appointment is, you would tell them and possibly write the time down as well if that is helpful.
Repeat-back is similar. If an older adult has been given some information, you could confirm your understanding of that information in a respectful way. This also works with a family member repeating back information to an older adult to check if it was understood correctly.
This is different from quizzing.
I try to refrain from using phrases like “Do you know what I just said?” when the issue is if the older adult was able to understand the information.
I think it is best practice to check if you are being clear.
"I don’t think I explained that very well."
"I wrote down the time; let me know if you need to verify."
"Are you saying you want to leave when we get back from lunch?"
You want the older adult to be in charge of the conversation.
It is important to preserve an individual’s choice and help them feel in control.
Multiple people may give inaccurate or contradictory information to an older adult about details concerning their daily activities. For example, a relative may say that an older adult’s appointment is at a specific time; another relative may say that they will take the older adult to that appointment; and still a third relative may say that they will be taking the older adult to the appointment and give other details about the appointment and transportation.
It is particularly confusing when the older adult cannot hear details concerning the changes in the arrangements.
I try to keep the rules concerning the older adult as simple as possible and the same throughout the household.
With regard to the Care Plan, I determine who is the most reliable and appropriate source concerning the updated information and make certain that the appropriate people receive the information.
It may also be useful to ensure that relevant details concerning the Care Plan are not provided during the course of a rambling and irrelevant conversation.
For example, the following is more effective than providing a long and circumlocutory message, which contains a lot of irrelevant detail.
I will tell the older adult what the Care Plan states, for example, “Your appointment is at 10:00, and I will write that on the calendar.”
When should changes in hearing be evaluated by a clinician or audiologist?
Hearing changes can be due to a variety of factors. Homecare workers can be trained to modify the way they communicate to account for potential hearing loss. Homecare workers do not determine the cause of the changes in hearing.
Families should be aware that many older adults have noticed that they are no longer able to understand conversations as easily as they used to and that changes like these should be reported to a qualified professional.
Homecare employees are not qualified to determine the reason an older adult is experiencing hearing changes. Homecare employees also do not perform hearing tests.
Qualified professionals can best determine the reason an older adult is experiencing changes in hearing and can answer the family members’ questions as well.
Families also should not speculate about potential causes for changes they have noticed. Family members can describe changes they’ve noticed to the older adult, for example “You are having more trouble understanding conversations when there are many people talking at the same time.” or “You are turning up the TV volume more than you used to.” or “You have trouble understanding people on the phone.”
This is often more helpful than telling an older adult that they have “bad hearing.”
Family members should avoid telling older adults what changes they have noticed unless the older adult is seeking help to determine next steps. This is to assist older adults in feeling more comfortable communicating their concerns.
Senior Care in Lilburn and Hearing Changes Related Questions and Answers
Can Care Pros assist senior clients who have hearing challenges?
Yes. Care Pros are trained to communicate in various ways to meet the needs of senior clients. These include but are not limited to; eliminating distractions, following the client’s preferred communication style, and reviewing the client’s care plan.
Is speaking as loudly as possible the best communication method for senior clients with hearing challenges?
No. Unless the senior client prefers communicating with a louder voice, speaking at an normal, non-distracted pace is preferable.
Would it be beneficial if all family members of the senior client wrote communication aids?
No. It is preferable to communicate with the senior client directly. Communication aids should be utilized only when miscommunication is likely to occur.
How can family members of the same senior client come to a consensus on a desired course of action?
It is important that all family members of the senior client discuss and arrive at a unified plan of care. This plan should be documented and given to the senior client’s case manager.
Does Home Instead offer hearing tests?
No. Home Instead provides in-home care and related services. It is the responsibility of the client or client’s family to arrange for a hearing test with an audiologist.
How do you respect an older adult’s preference to not have corrections made about them by family members?
Don’t let communication support turn family correction into an everyday occurrence. Support should help older adults participate as fully as possible in activities of daily living, including conversations with family members and friends. If older adults have preference on how to better understand communication, support staff should implement those preferences.
How do I get Home Instead services for my senior citizen in Lilburn?
First, determine which activities of daily living are impacted by your inability to communicate effectively with your senior citizen and/or due to other support and routine activities deficits. Contact the Home Instead office serving Lilburn for a detailed description of the services available and the process of developing a care plan that will best meet your senior citizen’s communication and support needs.
Changes in older adults’ communication abilities can impact their ability to engage in everyday activities and conversations. If your senior citizen is experiencing changes that affect communication and participation in daily activities, contact the Home Instead office serving the Lawrenceville area for support. Our goal is to support your senior citizen to communicate and make decisions as independently as possible. You can also learn more about the Home Instead Lawrenceville office.
About the Author
Matt Cohn has spent more than 25 years helping older adults and their families find the right support to remain safe and comfortable at home. He owns Home Instead locations serving communities in Georgia and Louisiana and has worked closely with families, caregivers, and care professionals through many of the decisions that come with in-home care.
