5 Tools for Communication as a Professional or Family Caregiver
To be a successful caregiver for seniors, you must be an effective and efficient communicator. Providing the best care possible can feel impossible without being able to express yourself or understand their needs.
However, you can ensure you are heard and understood with the right tools. Here are five tools for communication as a professional or family caregiver.
1. Video Conferencing
Video calls can help you maintain contact with seniors when you’re not physically present. Apps like Skype, Facetime, Zoom, or Google Hangouts are free, making connecting over any device, including cell phones, easy. Plus, video calls have the added benefit of letting you see facial expressions and read body language cues. For example, you can see if your senior feels sad or distressed or has difficulty understanding something.
Setting up video conferencing typically only takes a few minutes. When you sign up, test out the audio and video functions to avoid any future complications.
2. Text Messaging
Text messages are an easy way to pass along simple messages and check in quickly. Use texting to send photos and updates, as well as links to websites or articles that might be of interest. If the senior in your care has trouble with their eyesight, try making the text size larger so they can read your texts without straining. Or, if they have hearing loss, look into using a text-to-speech app that reads incoming messages out loud.
3. Whiteboards
As a more hands-on way to relay information, whiteboards offer a great way to communicate or display instructions and reminders. This can be especially useful if your senior loved one has dementia and needs visual cues.
You can also use whiteboards and chalkboards to illustrate ideas and concepts more clearly for visual learners. Use a whiteboard to document goals or tasks so the person you care for doesn’t forget important information.
4. Phone Calls
Talking on the phone is one of the most preferred ways to communicate and can be especially helpful for caregivers. Topics like medication reminders, upcoming doctor’s appointments, and changes in care are often discussed more quickly over the phone. Plus, many seniors enjoy getting phone calls throughout the day and speaking with friends and family members.
5. Music
Sometimes, communicating emotions and expressing your feelings can be difficult. Music can bypass many of the obstacles that speaking can create. You can use it to bridge the gap between generations and cultures or provide comfort in times of distress. Learning how to communicate isn’t always about words - sometimes, it can be about the feeling that comes with a particular song.
Final Thoughts
Because successful communication is such a critical part of being a caregiver, it’s vital to utilize the available tools you have at your disposal. By using these five tools for communication as a professional or family caregiver, you can guarantee the seniors in your life are heard and understood.
At Visiting Angels Tulsa, OK, we are committed to providing the best quality care for your senior loved ones. If you need additional support, our team of experienced caregivers is here to help. To learn more about Visiting Angels home care services and professional caregivers, reach out today.