Why Might Older Adults be Afraid to Communicate?

If you remember having long conversations with your aging loved one, it can be quite disheartening to see them lose their ability to speak. Some older adults can have difficulty speaking out about their needs or even lose their ability to speak entirely. However, there is a path forward. In this post, we’ll review how to navigate working with older people who cannot speak.

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Why Might Older Adults be Afraid to Communicate?

A person who can’t speak about their problems can be the result of one of the following causes:

• Aphasia. Most commonly caused by a stroke, this condition is when you can’t speak or understand language.
• Cognitive and sensory changes. Vision loss can make it harder to pick up social cues, and slower mental processing can affect conversation flow. Reduced working memory may also make complex discussions more difficult.
• Dementia. Alzheimer’s and other dementias can impact a senior’s ability to understand, process and express speech. These neurological changes can make communication more challenging and frustrating.
• Dysphonia and Dysarthria. Aging can affect speech clarity, leading some seniors to withdraw from conversations. Dysphonia makes speaking difficult or painful, while dysarthria affects pronunciation and rhythm. These disorders can be linked to conditions like Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and ALS.
• Hearing loss. About one-third of adults over 60 and half of those over 80 experience hearing loss. This can affect communication, confidence and social interactions. Caregivers can help by connecting seniors with specialists and developing new communication strategies.

How Do You Improve Communication with Someone Who Can’t Talk?

To improve communication with people who can’t speak about their problems, you can try the following options.

• Show respect and patience. Keep talking to your loved one and make them feel included. Avoid speaking for them, and let them express themselves at their own pace. Stick to one topic at a time, confirm their responses, and allow them time to process conversations.
• Use non-verbal communication. Body language, facial expressions and touch can enhance understanding. Maintain eye contact, smile and nod to show you’re engaged. Even a gentle hand on the shoulder or holding hands can provide comfort — just be mindful of their response.
• Practice good communication and encourage support therapy. Regular conversation can help maintain or even restore communication skills. Let your loved one speak for themselves, and ask a doctor about speech therapy. If they need therapy, attend sessions and learn techniques to support them.
• Minimize distractions. Create a quiet, comfortable environment by turning off background noise and positioning yourself in their field of vision. This makes it easier for them to focus on the conversation.
• Use clear and simple speech. Speak naturally in short, clear sentences, avoiding complex or rushed speech. Use specific names and familiar details instead of vague pronouns to improve clarity.
• Be open, empathetic and flexible. Understand there will be good and bad days. Stay patient, avoid arguments over minor misunderstandings, and adapt as needed to make communication easier.
• Incorporate music and creative approaches. Music can be an effective way to connect and evoke emotions. Singing, dancing, or playing familiar tunes can create joyful moments. Other creative methods like writing notes, sharing pictures or using assistive devices can also improve communication.

To learn about our home care services, contact our caregiving team today at 1-800-GRISWOLD or find a Caregiver near you.