What
are some considerations for working with elderly clients who may have cognitive
memory impairment? Include at least three communication methods.
The aging with disability group includes people who
either have lifelong or early onset communication disorders as a result of
cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis (MS) and age in the context of the
already-existing disability. Regardless of the trajectory, the burden of
communication disorder is cumulative; it grows with age and has important
implications for health care providers, (Yorkston, Bourgeois, & Baylor
2010). Some considerations include how
to communicate with them effectively, and with compassion. In people over 65
according to Medicare statistics 42% reported hearing problems, 26% had writing
problems, and 7% had problems using the telephone; all of these present issues
for therapist. Another consideration is the next wave of people entering the
elderly realm is generation “baby Boomers”, this is a large group coming in. Other issues include the following:
- · Aging with a Preexisting Communication Disorder
- · Onset of New Communication Disorders in Old Age
- · Maintaining Social Roles
- · Access to Health Care
- Severe Depression bringing on a “waiting to die” type of thinking
- Communication methods with the elderly include:
- A quiet room with furniture that allows eye to eye contact
- Know the patient’s communication strengths and weaknesses
- Make sure that sensory aids (eg, eye glasses, hearing aids, communication devices, memory aids) are available and used
- Use living room language not medical terminology
- Speak slowly and in adequate tones
- · Use humor in communications
- · Show empathy and respect, e.g. respect your elders, (this goes a long way)
- · Be familiar with their background life, how they grew up, e.g., some may come from the era of racism at its worst and may be off put if the counselor is not of the Caucasian persuasion- sadly this is a real issue in America
- · Supplement verbal descriptions with pictures and writing
- · Make sure the client understands you by using teach back methods
- · Do not try to overload them with information in each session. Take it slow and tackle one issue at a time
- · In the beginning get to really know them with light-hearted conversation that includes them telling you all about them and what they can remember of their life and how they are feeling in the present about their situation
- · Assign take home materials that they can use out-side of the sessions and bring back
.
The
Featherstone Method (My Idead)…
I came up with a method I would try with patients
suffering from depression, memory issues, and still are mobile either in a
wheel chair or walker or walking on their own. I would buy disposable cameras
and give them to the client on day 1. I would tell them to take pictures of
what ever they find interesting out-of-session and bring camera back on the
next session. I then would have them write down what they remember of what
pictures they took. The third session I will have developed the film and ask
them again to look over what they wrote down last session and have them add to
it if they need to. Then I would show them the pictures they took and compare
it to what they remembered, and all of this done in a humorous environment,
emphasizing that even I forgot some as well. I think this would give them
something to look forward to in each session and the homework would be
enjoyable. I would continue to do this throughout all the sessions. It would become a regular
“thing-to-do.
Reference:
Yorkston, K. M., Bourgeois, M. S., & Baylor, C. R.
(2010). Communication and Aging. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics
of North America, 21(2), 309–319. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2009.12.011
