INT102 Interpersonal Communication Skills
Students are required to:
Describe the barriers in working with the chosen client group
Demonstrate clear understanding of the communication skills required for effectively communicating with the chosen client group
Identify applicable resources that may assist with communication when communicating with the chosen client group
Essay structure 15%
Overall structure: introduction, body, conclusion
Effective use of tables, illustrations, and figures (if included)
Describing the barriers in working with a chosen client group 20%
Well supported with research and analysis
Understanding of target group ? Clear identification of barriers to communication
Demonstrating clear understanding of communication skills required for effectively communicating with chosen client group 20%
Demonstrated understanding of targeted client group
Identification of effective communication skills required when communicating with target client group
Persuasive, logical, and compelling research and analysis
What is required for high distinction?
Academic Writing Demonstrates very clear understanding of the subject. Very effective use of outside sources. Very effective use of summarization and paraphrasing. Sentence structure is very good.
Essay structure Presentation demonstrates a sophisticated clarity, conciseness, and correctness in each paragraph. Contains an introduction, body and conclusion that is of the right size.
Describing the barriers in working with the chosen client group Description of the barriers in working with a chosen client group is complete, clearly stated and well suited to client group.
Course Learning Outcomes-
Integrate and apply knowledge of community services professional practice and competencies within appropriate ethical and professional standards.
Apply critical thinking and judgment in identifying and solving problems in case management interventions.
Demonstrate advanced counseling and communication skills in dealing with clients and other professionals. Application of knowledge and skills
Demonstrate applied research skills.
Answer:
Introduction
Communication can be defined as a process with the help of which information, ideas or feelings are exchanged between individuals through a common system of signs, symbols or behavior. Communication is the main element for providing good quality healthcare services leading to satisfaction of the elderly people . It is a multi-dimensional, dynamic and multifactorial phenomenon related to the atmosphere in which there is a sharing of experiences of the individuals. The support workers have paid lots of attention to communication and interaction in nursing.
The element of effective communication is an important phenomenon in the care of patients. It helps in improving the relationship between support workers and elderly people. It has also influenced the perceptions of the elderly people regarding the quality of health care and the outcomes of the treatment. It is the main component of satisfaction amongst the elderly people (Loke, Lai & Fung, 2012).
gn: justify;">So, in this essay, the barriers perceived by the support workers in communicating with elderly people would be assessed. Moreover, the effective communication skills required for interacting with the target client group would be analyzed along with the identification of the resources that may assist in communication.
Barriers in working with elderly people
Effective communication skills of support workers with elderly people are essential for proving health care services and can have positive results including reduced anxiety, pain, guilt and symptoms of diseases. They can help in enhancing the satisfaction of the elderly people along with their acceptance and compliance of the instructions of the medical team.
Understanding of target group and identification of barriers to communication
As per Norouzinia et al., (2016) the barriers perceived by the support workers in communicating with senior citizens can include reduced mobility and needs relating to sensory and cognizance. The language barriers are also perceived during the stay of the elderly people in the hospitals.
Social obstacles and stereotypes- The cultural pluralism has also influenced the communication skills of the support workers with the elderly people. Some of the barriers of communication include low educational background, inappropriate policies of the government and improper environment along with the bad experience relating to the previous exposure of the elderly people with the support workers (Sánchez et al., 2013).
Lack of consideration of support workers regarding the specific disabilities- The elderly people might face the problem in speaking or hearing clearly. Often the other people are unable to understand what the elders are trying to say. This could be due to hearing trouble, dental pain or the side effects of the stroke. This may be a big language barrier for support workers.
Unwillingness to follow the instructions of the support workers- If complicated terminology is used while communicating with the elderly people then they may stop to follow the instructions of the support workers. The attitude of the elderly people can prove to be a barrier to communicate with them. They may start feeling defensive about the situation that may motivate them to stop the conversation (Jara et al., 2013).
Furthermore, the most barriers to communication can be the support workers being overburdened, shortage of support workers and shortage of time. The lack of time increases their workload that in turn affects the relationship between the elderly people and support workers (Kamada et al., 2013).
Unwilling to communicate with the elderly people -The support workers might be unwilling to communicate and understand the needs of the elderly people. The low income of the support workers might be a barrier in communication with the patients. Lack of facilities of welfare for the support workers might decrease their satisfaction hence reducing the quality of healthcare provision.
Understanding of targeted client group and identification of effective communication skills required when communicating with them
Psychological transitions and disorders- The old age people might confront multiple issues related to physical and mental health. They might be suffering from loss of hearing, impairment of the vision, Alzheimer or dementia. While treating the elderly people, the support workers should not assume about the capabilities of the elderly people and comprehend their conditions and situations that may differ from person to person (Siracuse et al., 2012).
Communication Skills
Understanding of Targeted Client Group
In order to avoid the barriers in communication, the support workers should start with the appropriate body posture that might feel the elderly people comfortable. They should directly be seated opposite to the patient that will help in improving communication by reducing the distractions and sending the message that the team has been focusing on the client entirely.
Identification of effective communication skills required when communicating with target client group
The care providers must learn to exercise their patience while treating elderly people. If the communication becomes repetitive, the care providers must decelerate their speech. They must speak in clear words to the client is able to understand the conversation (Vahid et al., 2016).
The support workers must show proper respect to the elderly people as the feelings prove to be an indispensable element during their treatment. They must also learn to practice active listening skills and remember that both the parties might face difficulty to interact with each other. The body language of the caregivers should be friendly so that they can acknowledge the communication without interruptions.
Identifying resources that may assist with communication
Health Information Exchange (HIE)- As per Williams (2013), the resources required for communicating with older elderly people in a better way can be with the help of electronic communication system known as Health Information Exchange (HIE)(Mordoch et al., 2013).
Therapeutic communication techniques- The therapeutic communication techniques can also be used as resources for communicating with elderly people. The elderly people can be provided with support and information thereby maintaining a level of distance and objectivity from them. The settings of the residential care should be such that they feel comfortable to enable a smooth flow of communication amongst the elderly and support workers (Suryadevara et al., 2012).
Conclusion
This essay can be concluded by saying that good communication is a crucial part of the healing process. Many benefits can be derived from effective communication with the elderly people in the residential care. It would enhance the satisfaction of the elderly people and they would file fewer malpractice suits.
For better communication with elderly people, extra time should be spent with them. Distractions should be avoided so that the elderly people feel that they are important. Eye contact should be maintained and the support workers should have good listening skills. They should speak clearly, loudly and slowly.
Reference
Jara, A. J., Lopez, P., Fernandez, D., Zamora, M. A., Ubeda, B. & Skarmeta, A. F. (2013). Communication protocol for enabling continuous monitoring of elderly people through near field communications. Interacting with Computers, 26(2), 145-168.
Kamada, M., Kitayuguchi, J., Inoue, S., Ishikawa, Y., Nishiuchi, H., Okada, S.& Shiwaku, K. (2013). A community-wide campaign to promote physical activity in middle-aged and elderly people: a cluster randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 10(1), 44.
Loke, A. Y., Lai, C. K. & Fung, O. W. M. (2012). At?home disaster preparedness of elderly people in Hong Kong. Geriatrics & gerontology international, 12(3), 524-531.
Mordoch, E., Osterreicher, A., Guse, L., Roger, K. & Thompson, G. (2013). Use of social commitment robots in the care of elderly people with dementia: A literature review. Maturitas, 74(1), 14-20.
Norouzinia, R., Aghabarar, M., Shiri, M. , Karimi, M. & Samami, E.(2016). Communication Barriers Perceived by Nurses and Patients. Global Journal of Health Science, 8(6),65-74.
Sánchez, A., Millán-Calenti, J. C., Lorenzo-López, L. & Maseda, A. (2013). Multisensory stimulation for people with dementia: a review of the literature. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias, 28(1), 7-14.
Siracuse, J. J., Odell, D. D., Gondek, S. P., Odom, S. R., Kasper, E. M., Hauser, C. J. & Moorman, D. W. (2012). Health care and socioeconomic impact of falls in the elderly. The American Journal of Surgery, 203(3), 335-338.
Suryadevara, N. K., Gaddam, A., Rayudu, R. K. & Mukhopadhyay, S. C. (2012). Wireless sensors network based safe home to care elderly people: Behaviour detection. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 186, 277-283.
Vahid, J., Vahid, P., Azad, R., Lynnette, L.C. & Eesa,M.(2016). Communication between residential aged care facilities and the emergency department: A review of the literature. International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences, 5(8), 346-355.
Williams, K.(2013). Evidence-based Strategies for Communicating with Older Adults in Long-term Care. Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management ,20(11),507-512.
