Best Ways to Communicate with Your Elderly Loved One

By James Bennett | March 9, 2022 |

Communication is a two-way street. If you are having issues communicating with your elderly loved one or they are with you, learning better communication tips can help a great deal. The tips that are mentioned below can help each of you to listen to each other more, hear each other out, and get to know each other better. These tips will also help when your loved one is speaking with their companion care at home providers.

Listening to One Another

Companion Care at Home Simpsonville SC – Best Ways to Communicate with Your Elderly Loved One

When it comes to listening to one another, do you and your elderly loved one usually talk over each other? Maybe, when you are talking your elderly loved one doesn’t hear you, so they start talking. When they are talking, you might interrupt because you are being impatient if they aren’t responding quickly enough. Learning to listen to one another more can help the both of you to stop being as frustrated with each other. The best way to practice this communication tip is to be sure you don’t speak until the other person is fully done (even if that means telling each other you are done speaking).

Taking Time to Hear Each Other

Another way to improve the communication between you and your elderly loved one is by taking time to hear each other. This isn’t the same as listening to one another. When you take the time to hear each other, you are listening to each other’s wants and needs. You are listening to what the other person would like to do, where they want to go, and trying to make those things happen.

Talking About Likes and Dislikes

Another communication tip that can help you and your elderly loved one to communicate better is by talking about each other’s likes and dislikes. You might be surprised to find out that your elderly loved one likes some of the same things that you like. They may be shocked to know that you enjoy puzzles or crocheting. By learning about the likes, it might give you both more to do together. By learning about each other’s dislikes, you can avoid doing things that aggravate or irritate the other person.

Seek Family Counseling to Improve Communications for your Loved One with you and Companion Care at Home Aides

Is your elderly loved one depressed or anxious all the time? If so, they may be nervous about seeing a doctor or therapist. It might help them if you go to family counseling with them. By going to the counseling sessions together, hopefully, you can learn what your elderly loved one is having issues with, so you and companion care at home providers can help them feel better.

If you are experiencing issues communicating with your elderly loved one, hopefully, the tips above can be a great start in helping you each to get along and understand each other better. If your elderly loved one is still having issues communicating and you know that you have done everything you can, it might be a good idea to have your elderly loved one to see their doctor in case there is a health issue causing this.

Source: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/tips-improving-communication-older-patients

**If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Companion Care at Home Services in Simpsonville SC, please contact the caring staff at Upstate Home Care Solutions today. Call (864) 527-0455.**

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James Bennett

Owner at Upsate Home Care Solutions

James Bennett is a native of Taylors, SC. A graduate of Riverside High School, he attended Clemson University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Packing Science. Upon graduation, he commenced on a career path in food manufacturing with Nestle Frozen Foods (1999 – 2008) and Country Fresh, Inc. (2008 – 2011). When James was only 12, his father, at the age of 37, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).With both an ailing father and a grandmother suffering from several medical conditions, James Bennett and his family were able to unify and provide their loved ones with the home care they needed. Their family structure and consistent schedule were key aspects in providing care. Unfortunately, not all families have the structure, resources, or flexibility to provide the home care their loved one desires. James understands the difficulties families and caregivers encounter while providing and caring for loved ones. A loving son, husband, and father who understands the need to help families, James created Upstate Home Health Care Solutions, LLC in 2011 to fill in the gap for families who need caring individuals to assist with a loved one’s home care needs.

• Greenville Chamber of Commerce Minority Business of the Year 2017
• Greenville Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) Program participant 2017
• Greenville Chamber of Commerce MBA Excellence Award Recipient 2017
• Featured on the cover Upstate Business Journal June 2016
• Community Works Economic Impact Award 2016
• Board Member of Ten at the Top (TATT) and Fire Pit Ranch (FPR)
• Member of Upstate Senior Network, Greenville & Spartanburg Chapters
• Member of the Healthcare division of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce
• Member of the Better Business Bureau
• Staff member of Palmetto Boys State sponsored by the American Legion
• Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.