3rd Year | 1st Semester

Module 2: Communication Documentation in Older Person

Lecturer(s): Paulo Carl Mejia
STAGES OF COMMUNICATION CYCLE
OUTLINE

I. Communication
II. Modes of Communication
III. Stages of Communication Cycle
IV. Therapeutic Communication
V. Guidelines for Communication with Patient’s
Family
VI. Techniques for Communication with Elders
VII. Improving Communication Skills Among
Gerontology Nurses

COMMUNICATION ● It is an ongoing process of creating an interaction or

● This refers to the transfer of information and
message from one person to another
● It is an ongoing process of creating an interaction or
shared understanding between two people
MODES OF COMMUNICATION
VERBAL
● It refers to spoken words, message
● Most intimate contact: mode- terminating employee,
conflict confrontation
● Examples: face-to-face, conversation, one-on-one
talk (esp if they are experiencing grief), telephone call
NON-VERBAL
● These are nonverbal messages
meta-communication
● More powerful than spoken words, accompanies
verbal communication
● Examples: elederly patient’s facial expressions, head
nod, gestures, body posture/movement, therapeutic
touch (comfort), eye contact (they are strict towards
this because they will think that you are not listening),
voice tone (moaning), guarding behavior
WRITTEN
● Most formal mode of communication
● It can be typed, printed, or handwritten
● Examples: letter, whiteboard, pen and paper (to allow
them to communicate), patient’s chart, nurses notes,
doctor’s notes, physician’s order, endorsement
shared understanding between two people
● Sender
○ Person who originates the message
● Encoding
○ process of turning thoughts and feelings to
communication
● Message
○ content of communication
● Receiver
○ person who gets the message
● Decoding
○ process of evaluating communication and making
it meaningful
■ Provide therapeutic communication to the
patient
● Feedback
or ○ the return message
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION
● Nurse therapeutic relationship with a client is an
interpersonal helping process
● Simply developing a good bedside manner
● Careful to respond to patient’s questions in a helpful
and caring manner
○ Maging mahinahon
● Correct observe, evaluate, and respond when patient
communicates with the nurse
THE ART OF THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION
● Nurse must relate their own experiences
concerning illness and death so that patients will be
comfortable
○ Sharing the burden with the patient – helps in
relieving them
● Nurses must use self-discovery, self-discussion,
and self-awareness
○ Do this always
○ There are times that it is depressing when you are
communicating with the older adult
■ It is okay to empathize, but you should not go
beyond your borders that you are his/her nurse

NCM 114 Lec - Geriatrics | Adelante 2024 | Module 2 1

● Nurse must develop skills, competence, and VERBAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS
expertise in effective communication to elderly
1. Let the patient do the talking
patient
2. Ask one question at a time
○ “Po”, “opo”
3. Summarize the most important points
● Encourage to promote reflection, reading, and
4. Give the patient time to answer, to ask a question,
journal writing
to express.
5. Use language that is understandable to the patient
GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNICATION WITH
6. Avoid leading questions. You want the patient to
PATIENT’S FAMILY
tell you more.
1. Simply being fully present during any opportunity 7. Avoid how or why questions, they tend to be
for questions, concerns, problems intimidating.
2. Don’t make promises you can’t keep - ethical 8. Avoid the use of cliche statement like “don’t worry”
principle of fidelity in nursing 9. Avoid question which require only a simple “yes”
a. Especially to the family or “no” answer
b. Truth telling and keeping to one’s 10. Avoid canned responses: “ I know just how you
promise (principle of fidelity) feel”
3. Accept and respect the patient decision -
bioethical principle of autonomy IMPROVING COMMUNICATION SKILLS AMONG
a. Right to self-determination and self-rule GERONTOLOGY NURSES
4. Talk with patient, family members, friends, and
colleagues EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
a. Ask how they are doing 1. Convey honesty, empathy and trustworthiness
b. You should not only establish rapport, 2. Must speak clearly, slowly, loudly, short, concise
but you also have to communicate in 3. Allow for extra time for older patients
order to gain trust 4. Encourage simple conversation
5. Patient and family must be given adequate and 5. Offer large-print books, easy to read
sufficient time to respond/speak/reply/absorb the 6. Provide mnemonics, sensory cues, chart, models,
news pictures
6. Try not to overwhelm the patient with 7. Ask patient to wear reading glass, magnifier,
embarrassing or personal question hearing aids
a. Choose your words, be careful - make 8. Have a clear, brief, simple, complete instruction.
it not embarrassing with the patient 9. Avoid speaking too fast or too slow.
TECHNIQUES FOR COMMUNICATION WITH 10. Active and attentive listening is the key.
ELDERS 11. Use short, simple, common words/sentences
ESTABLISHING THE SETTING 12. Pronounce words correctly
13. Encourage feedback, summarize, redundancy,
1. Conducted in a safe, right and conducive settings restate and repeating information
2. Provide a comfortable environment, quiet peaceful 14. The nurse needs to be sensitive to the emotional
area. feelings of the patient
3. Establish a relaxed, unhurried setting 15. Offer therapeutic touch, handkerchief, tissue
i. Let them take time to answer the
questions
4. Sit-down when speaking to the patient REFERENCES:
5. Sit face-to-face and maintain eye contact
6. Provide for privacy ● Prof Mejia’s lecture PPT
7. Disclosure of important information in private
areas
8. Avoid disturbances, distractions, unnecessary
interruptions, noise
TIPS FOR STAFF
1. Schedule older patients earlier in the day
2. Greet them to ensure they are comfortable
3. Seat in quiet/ comfortable area
4. Keep patient relaxed/ focused
5. Physically escort patient
6. Check from time-to-time
7. Always say goodbye

NCM 114 Lec - Geriatrics | Adelante 2024 | Module 2 2