Exam 3: Gero Lecture 8 Flashcards
The most important capacity in humans
Communication
Meaningful communication and engagement includes:
healthy aging
prolongs lifespan
better response to healthcare interventions
Maintenance of optimal function
Good Communication –> basis for
accurate assessment
care planning
development of therapeutic relationships between nurse and older person
What is elder-speak?
Assume all older people can’t hear, understand, or comprehend
Very common between nurses and clients
Elder-speak may be characterized by what?
simplistic vocabulary and grammar
shortened sentences
slowed speech
elevated pitch and volume
inappropriate terms of endearment
speaking as if person is not there: talking over the patient, don’t do this with your pt there
using familiar/informal communication without permission
using the “royal WE”
Why Do We Use Elder-speak?
Tradition
Modeling by others
Unawareness
Intent to control
Insensitivity
What are the effects of Elder-speak?
The implicit message of incompetence then begins a negative feedback loop for older persons, who react with:
- decreased self-esteem
- depression, withdrawal
- assumption of dependent behaviors
What is the therapeutic communication with older adults?
Give more time/Silence
Possible slowed thought process
Must sort through many years of memories to answer
Closed ended
To get specific answers
May feel put on the spot
Examples?
Open ended
Allow for client elaboration
May be difficult for some
Not sure what you are asking/want to please
Examples?
Proper body positioning
Seek clarification
Pay attention to non-verbals
What are the major communication issues related to neuro?
Reception
Perception
Articulation
What is the reception communication issue related to neuro?
Neuro disorders
Anxiety
Hearing deficits
Changes in cognition
What is the perception communication issue related to neuro?
Neuro disorders
Dementia
Delirium
What is the articulation communication issue related to neuro?
Neuro disorders
Mechanical difficulties
Resp disease
Larynx disorders
What are the neuro comm difficulties?
Anomia
Aphasia
Dysarthria
What is the neuro comm difficulties –> anomia
Difficult word retrieval
What is the neuro comm difficulties –> aphasia
Impairment in processing language
Ability to speak and/or understand
Intelligence not affected
Damage to brain
CVA or head trauma
Often left side
What is the neuro comm difficulties –> dysarthria
Impaired ability to articulate speech
Damage to neurological system
What are the different kinds of aphasia?
Fluent
Non-fluent
Verbal
Anomic
Global
What is fluent aphasia?
Inability to perceive/understand speech
Reading and writing impaired
Receptive aphasia
What is non-fluent aphasia?
Impaired speaking
Speech is effortful
Expressive aphasia
What is verbal aphasia?
Difficult to get brain signals to speech muscles
Frequently occurs with aphasia
What is anomic aphasia?
Severe word finding difficulties
What is global aphasia?
Can’t understand or express
Says meaningless things
What are the nursing care/considerations for aphasia?
Can be frustrating to care for someone with aphasia
Person usually retains intellect
Adult level communication
Modifications
Sensitivity and patience
Continuity of care
Communication Strategies
What is dysarthria?
weakness of speech muscles