As people age, conversations can become hindered by factors like hearing loss and other communication barriers. Of course, this doesn’t mean you want to stop communicating with your elderly loved ones; rather, it simply means you need to make subtle adjustments so communication is easier for everyone. Here to share their best tips are the compassionate caregivers from Angel’s Above and Beyond Home Health Services. Based in New Richmond, OH, these personal care professionals truly do go above and beyond to make your loved one comfortable, happy, and healthy.

Here are a few of the caregivers’ simple suggestions for communicating with your elderly loved ones:

• Keep Your Face Towards Them: Sometimes, individuals who have trouble hearing rely partially on lip reading to make out what you’re saying. Make sure you’re facing the senior with whom you’re speaking so they can also see what you’re saying.
• Avoid Mumbling: Understanding mumbled phrases can be difficult even for people with perfect hearing. Aim to pronounce words clearly and at a normal pace.

• Speak at a Reasonable Volume: You may need to adjust your speaking volume a bit, but remember you shouldn’t have to yell, either. If your elderly loved one struggles to the point at which they’re straining to hear even when you’re speaking loudly, it could indicate it’s time for them to pursue hearing aid options.
• Have Patience: Remember, the person you’re speaking with wants to understand you just as much as you want them to hear what you’re saying. Communication challenges can be frustrating for both parties, but try not to rush them or become exasperated.
• Keep it Light: If something you’ve said becomes misunderstood, try to laugh it off and keep up a positive attitude. Have compassion for your loved one and encourage them that it’s okay to have miscommunications as long as both parties are willing to work through it together.

If your loved one needs companionship when you can’t be there, the caregivers from Angel’s Above and Beyond Home Health Services are here to help. For all of your family’s health and home care needs, you can enlist the help of their patient, understanding team by calling (888) 919-2273. You can also visit their website to learn more about their broad range of services, and connect with the team on Facebook and Twitter.