{"id":10825,"date":"2016-12-21T07:00:13","date_gmt":"2016-12-21T13:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=10825"},"modified":"2020-10-14T08:59:37","modified_gmt":"2020-10-14T13:59:37","slug":"build-a-stronger-senior-community-with-respectful-communication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2016\/12\/build-a-stronger-senior-community-with-respectful-communication\/","title":{"rendered":"Build a Stronger Senior Community with Respectful Communication"},"content":{"rendered":"

Build a Stronger Senior Community with \"Build<\/a>Respectful Communication<\/h1>\n

Moving from home to a senior community is a big transition, and there\u2019s one simple but powerful way community managers and staffers can make it easier: call residents by their names. When seniors write about their frustrations, they often describe being called patronizing nicknames<\/a><\/strong>: sweetie, honey, dear, and young lady or young man. Doctors and researchers say terms like these are not only hurtful but can also cause\u00a0stress and poorer health among seniors<\/a><\/strong>. Here\u2019s how you can build a stronger senior community through respectful communication.<\/p>\n

Respect and record your residents\u2019 preferences<\/h2>\n

The simplest way to show your community members respect is to follow Miss Manners\u2019 rule<\/a><\/strong>: call people what they want to be called. Some of your residents may prefer to go by their first names, while others are more comfortable with Mr. or Mrs. Chart notes and door tags will make it easier for busy CNAs and other staffers to recall names during their shifts. By using residents\u2019 names, your team will\u00a0also reinforce the professionalism of the caregiving work<\/a><\/strong> they do\u2014something that\u2019s also worthy of respect.<\/p>\n

Practice respectful listening<\/h2>\n

If a resident brings up an issue with you at a time when you\u2019re too busy to talk, offer to schedule a time to talk when you can give them your full attention. When you do have conversations with your residents and their families, practice active listening<\/a><\/strong>. That means first listening to understand what the other person is saying and how they feel, rather than trying to come up with your own response immediately.<\/p>\n

By actively listening, you\u2019ll show your residents that you care about their experiences and feelings and that you take what they say seriously. Then, when you\u2019re ready to respond, they\u2019ll be in a better position to listen and work with you to resolve their issue.<\/p>\n

Put your respectful communication policy in writing<\/h2>\n

Let your staffers know that your community will address all residents the way they want to be addressed. Make it a goal to avoid the use of pet names like \u201csweetie\u201d and \u201choney\u201d that offend many seniors. Try to allow time for staffers and mangers to listen actively to residents and families.<\/p>\n

You can find specific ideas in the National Institute on Aging\u2019s free clinician\u2019s handbook on talking with older patients.<\/strong><\/a> It\u2019s written for doctors, but many of its recommendations work for senior caregivers and community managers<\/a><\/strong>, too, such as:<\/p>\n