Communicating with the Elderly for Home Health Care

Course overview

Communicating with others is a basic human need and the foundation of all social interactions. When home health care professionals effectively communicate with those for whom they care, it helps patients feel less isolated and can also improve their sense of wellbeing. Often, the effects of aging, illness, and disabilities can become barriers to effective caregiver-patient communication, especially in a home setting where additional barriers may be present. When home health care professionals understand how the communication process works and how to effectively send and receive message, they are better able to meet the needs of patients under their care. This course will discuss the components of the communication process, barriers to communicating with an older population, and tips for increasing communication effectiveness.