Communication - Elderly and Disabled Patients

Question 1

What is lack of dignity?

Answer 1

Lack of consideration to helping people with their personal appearance.
* Labelling older people such as bed-blockers or geriatric.
* Exposing a patient’s nakedness to strangers or to other patients when using
a hoist.
* Not asking a person how he/she would like to be addressed.
* Mixed sex wards.
* Lack of consideration to the gender of the carer.
* Mixing tablets into food

Question 2

What is dignity?

Answer 2

Dignity - the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect, acomposed or serious manner or style.

Providing elderly people with dignified care has a positive impact on their
treatment, social outcomes, health and well-being.

Question 3

How to develop effective communication with elderly patients?

Answer 3

Plan for extra time with elderly patients
Give your undivided attention to your patient
Speak slowly, clearly and loudly
Avoid the use of jargon and adapt your explanations to the patient’s level.
Use short, simple words and sentences
Stick to one topic at a time.
Simplify and write down your instructions. (If appropriate)
Use charts, models and pictures.
Frequently summarize the most important points.
Give patients an opportunity to ask questions and express themselves.

Question 4

What are general guidelines for communication with the elderley?

Answer 4

Body positioning:
- Indicates listening, attending and being involved
Touch:
- Conveys affection, care, and comfort.
Eye contact:
- Indicates readiness to initiate interaction with others.
Affirmative head nodding:
- regulation of interaction, especially changes in turn taking
Smiling
- very important for establishing rapport with the patient

Question 5

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

Answer 5

sympathy is when you share the feelings of another; empathy is when you understand the feelings of another but do not necessarily share them.