When was the last time you talked to your relative living in an assisted living facility about their past experiences and their younger years? No matter how long ago or recent that time was, sitting down or talking over the phone to seniors about their past is still an important step we must take to help improve their quality of life. By asking them about their history, you can peek into the past and hear some interesting family stories or inspiring life lessons!
Many factors contribute to successful aging like physical functionality, cognitive function, and social engagement (Kanning, 2008). As family members, there is not much we can directly do to improve the physical functionality of our relatives. However, we can help stimulate our relative’s cognitive function and provide them with necessary social engagement. Having conversations with your older relatives is an opportunity to do both; reflecting on the past is a wonderful way to keep the mind active, and sustaining consistent communication can also strengthen your relationship and provide them with additional social contact.
Also noteworthy, family connections are one of the primary concerns of the aging population. There is evidence that shows a strong connection between one’s health and one’s family relationships. Furthermore, it has been found that seniors find it more important to share family history and stories than leave financial assets to heirs. In some instances it may be hard to communicate with your older relatives or think of topics to talk about but the following list are suggestions to set you in the right direction.
Communication Tips
Keep sentences short and simple – By making your questions and responses short and simple, it will make it easier for seniors to understand. Also, lengthy questions and responses can confuse seniors as it may be too much information for them to grasp at once.
Speak Clearly – Some older adults are hard of hearing or have trouble following the conversation. By speaking calmly and enunciating your words your older relative will be able to better listen and respond to the question you may ask, ultimately allowing for better communication.
Don’t be afraid to laugh – Laughing can ease tension and lighten things up if the conversation seems to start to become lackluster or stressful to continue. Funny moments often arise, however, be sure not to laugh at the senior’s expense. Allowing for shared laughter can also strengthen your relationship with seniors.
If you are looking for some conversation starters and topics check out the following links!
20 Questions Seniors Neve get Sick of Hearing
100 Great Questions to Ask Grandparents During COVID-19
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By Gabriel V. Fabian
Senior Care Advising Intern at WellPath Partners
Healthcare Administration Student at California State University, Long Beach
