Despite the fact that talking to an older adult may seem like a simple chore, most of us end up employing inefficient communication techniques. We end up insulting and offending our older relatives without even recognizing it. If we adopt a senior-friendly strategy and stay away from these mistakes when talking to your parents about moving to an assisted living community in Bexar County, TX, we can prevent this.
Refusing to Adapt to Their Needs
Many changes in lifestyle come with aging. It’s possible that your loved one may experience new demands and requirements as a result of little environmental changes that you can conveniently overlook.
You must immediately adjust to these changes. Consider making adjustments if background sounds and bright lighting irritate them. Make considerate hand motions during communication to help the other person follow along. For instance, many older citizens use lip-reading to help them communicate. When you talk, don’t conceal your lips so people can see them and understand what you’re saying.
Being Patronizing
No matter how old the person you’re speaking to is, courteous communication is a need for all productive talks. When conversing with our older relatives and friends, we often have a tendency to act in an inadvertently insulting manner.
This may show up in several ways. When you give them advice, for instance, even though you may be really trying to assist them, your condescending demeanor irritates them and conveys disdain. When chatting to older adults, it’s usual practice to assume that they are all hard of hearing. It might come off as incredibly insulting to speak extra slowly, loudly, and repeat phrases unless you are aware that the person has a hearing impairment.
Being Impatient
Each of us has sometimes been impatient while speaking with elderly loved ones. It may have occurred while you were trying to explain to your grandma how a certain piece of equipment worked, or when you had to listen to your uncle recount a tale you had previously heard numerous times.
The problem with impatience is that your older relatives can tell when you’re becoming frustrated. They are just as adept at reading body language as you are, so if you show irritation or impatience via your tone of voice or facial expressions, they will notice. They may feel as if they are using too much of your time and burdening you, which may be highly upsetting and inconsiderate to them.
You must have extreme patience while conversing with your elderly friends and family members. They may take longer to understand new concepts since their memory is less accurate and their actions are slower than yours. To prevent offending them, be aware of their needs and be patient.
Exclusive Senior Assisted Living with Discovery Village At Dominion
Are you looking for an assisted living community in Bexar County, TX? Your loved ones will get the much-needed reprieve they need from their everyday responsibilities through our retirement community’s Assisted Living program. Professionals designed our Assisted Living community to make senior living easier, better, and more active for our residents.
To learn more about our retirement community, schedule a tour with us today!
