Effective Communication when Supporting Older People

This one day course, designed for front line workers, will afford the opportunity for them to improve their communication skills so as to provide the best possible service to Older People.

Learners will explore the different forms of communication, their effectiveness and the barriers to effective communication. Learners will develop the skills required to support Older People who have difficulty communicating for reasons of ageing and decreasing cognitive skills.

The course material will draw on Person Centred principles, choice, dignity, social inclusion and rights.

The course certificate will indicate NVQ and CIS links.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this course learners should be able to understand:

• What is meant by effective communication
• The importance for all people to communicate effectively
• The consequences of poor communication
• The general barriers to effective communication e.g. people not listening carefully
• The additional barriers experienced in the communication between Older People and others
• The importance of Person Centred care and social inclusion
• How diversity, dignity, choices and preferences are at the centre of effective communication
• What tends to happen to Older People physically and emotionally when they are excluded and socially isolated
• The need for Older People for continuing relationships and possibly to develop new relationships
• What tends to happen to Older People physically and emotionally when they are excluded and socially isolated
• The importance of trust
• The range of skills and approaches to aid communication with Older People:
        -How to actively listen
        -Understanding non verbal communication
• How to approach particular difficulties:
        -Confusion in time, place and person
        -Restlessness and poor concentration
        -Anxiety
• The impact of hearing and sight impairment and responding to these

Training methods:

• Practical demonstrations
• Discussion
• OHP/PowerPoint
• Tutor Presentations
• Handouts
• Group work
• Pairs work

CP45/4.9