how to communicate effectively with the elderly through simple activities
DESCRIPTION
It is an user guide teaching people how to communicate effectively with the elderly through Simple ActivitiesTRANSCRIPT
How to Communicate Effectively with the Elderly through Simple Activities
Content p.1
p.2
p.3
p.4-5
p.6-7
p.8-9
p.10-11
p.12
p.13-17
1. Purpose of the guide
2. Definition of elderly
3. Possible changes faced by the elderly
4. Games & Activities
4.1 Story Train
4.2 King Of Guesses
4.3 Drawing In Your Mind
4.4 Step Into The Past
5. Useful Tips
6. Appendix
Purpose
How much do you know about the elderly around you?
What is his or her favorite food?
In return, how much do they understand you?
Nowadays, the great difference in beliefs between the elderly
and the youngsters causes a communication breakdown.
We hope this user guide can serve as a practical workbook to
teach the youngsters how to communicate with the elderly
effectively through simple games and activities.
It can also provide them with some useful tips on building a
better relationship with the elderly, making our society more
harmonious.
1
2
A famous psychologist Eric Erikson suggests that there are
8 life stages. Those in the last stage of life, late adulthood, is
known to be elderly.
Different people may define “elderly” in different ways.
According to the definition of the United Nations, “elderly”
refers to people whose ages are above 65. This standard is
widely accepted by different places, including Hong Kong.
Definition
3
When people are getting older, they face changes in
different aspects.
Physical Changes
E.g. appearance and body function
Psychological Changes
E.g. feel depressed due to a loss of control over their
lives
Life Role Changes
E.g. loss of the role as a worker
As the elderly may think that they may no longer be able
to do the things that they used to do, ranging from basic
self care and leisure activities, they will be less
active in their daily life and they may not want to
communicate with others.
Changes faced by
the elderly
4
To be Continued…
Purpose:
- An ice breaking activity to build up relationship
between you and the elderly
Material:
Several pieces of A4 paper
A pair of scissors
Minimum Number of Participants: 2
Steps:
1. Cut a piece of A4 paper into 6 rectangular pieces.
2. Write down a particular word on each small paper.
Story Train
Points to note:
The words can be a place like the park, the bus stop or a
feeling word like sweet, happy or sad etc.
(Examples can be found in Appendix 1)
A pen
A paper or plastic box
Game 1
5
Steps:
3. Put all the small paper into box.
4. Invite the elderly person to draw lot in the box.
5. Invite the elderly person to share a story related to the word
on the paper.
6. Draw another lot to select another paper.
7. Tell your own story related to the word to the elderly person.
8. Invite the elderly person to guess the story ending.
Points to note:
1. Update your words on the paper every time after the game
finished.
2. Use simple words only (examples can be found in the appendix).
3. For the elderly who have visual problems, you can tell them the
word on the paper.
Story Train Game 1
To be Continued… 6
Purpose: To understand the favorites of the elderly
Materials:
Several pieces of A4 paper
A pair of scissors
A pen
Minimum Number of Participants: 2
Steps:
1. Cut a piece ofA4 paper into 6 rectangular pieces.
2. Write down different themes (favorite food, fruit, films, songs
etc. ) on the small paper cards.
3. Invite the elderly person to select the topic he or she wants
talk about.
4. The elderly person gives hints to you.
Points to note:
Examples of themes can be found in Appendix 2.
King of Guesses
Game 2
Steps:
5. You guess the answer.
6. After 5 guesses, the elderly person announces the correct
answer.
7. You select the topic you want to talk about.
8. Gives hints to the elderly person.
9. Invite the elderly person to guess the answer.
10. After 5 guesses, you announce the correct answer.
11. Record the number of correct answers respectively. After five
rounds, see who the “king of guesses” is.
Points to note:
If the elderly person has difficulties in giving hints, you can
raise some questions to guide him or her. For example, is
it a kind of fruit or an activity?
King of Guesses
7
Game 2
To be Continued……
Purpose: To understand the family members of the elderly
Material:
Several pieces of A4 paper
A pen
Minimum Number of Participants: 2
Steps:
1. Invite the elderly person to describe the appearance of one of
his or her relatives.
2. Draw a picture according to the hints given.
3. Guess the relationship between the elderly person and the per-
son described.
4. Invite the elderly person to share a memorable experience
between them.
Drawing in your mind
8
Game 3
Steps:
5. You describe the appearance of one of your relatives.
6. The elderly person draws a picture according to the hints given
by you.
7. The elderly person guesses the relationship between
you and the person described.
8. You share an experience with the elderly person.
Drawing in your mind
9
Game 3
A map
A scanner
A computer
Steps:
Stage 1: Preparation
1. Ask the elderly person where his or her most memorable
place is.
2. Discuss the available days to go to the place again.
Stage 2: Return to the memorable place
1. Go to the place on the scheduled days.
2. Talk and listen to the elderly person about his or her past memory.
3. Jot down some special notes.
4. Take photos for later reference.
To be continued…
Step into the past Purpose: To let the younger generations understand the past
of the elderly
Materials:
A pen
Several pieces of paper
A camera
10
Game 4
Stage 3: Diary making
1. Group your gathered information (words and photos).
2. Design and draft the outline of the diary.
3. Put down the information on pieces of paper.
4. Stick photos on decided area.
5. Decorate the diary with drawings or anything that can
make the diary more beautiful.
Stage 4: Online Diary
1. Create an account in any communication platforms
(Facebook or Blog) for the elderly person
2. Scan the diary on the computer
3. Share with his or her friends and relatives.
Points to note:
1. If the elderly forgets where the experience happened, you
can suggest a place to create new memory with him or her.
2. Invite the elderly person to participate in the design of
their online diary.
3. For the elderly who have walking difficulties, do
not bring them to places that are inaccessible
for wheel chair. 11
Game 4
12
1. If the elderly are too shy or with little interest to talk,
you may encourage them by sharing your story first.
2. If the elderly cannot remember their story well, you can
guide them by some hints.
3. Speak loudly and slowly with patience towards the elderly.
4. Use simple words for communication.
5. Respect the elderly and do not interrupt
while they are speaking.
6. Do not keep on asking the elderly questions which they
refuse to answer.
7. Praise them if they have done a good job to help them to
build up confidence in communication.
8. Make use of body language. Touching hands or shoulders
can give them a sense of security and encouragement.
Useful Tips
Park Family
Work
Bad Surprise
Happy
Appendix I for Game 1
13
School Holiday
Travel
Watch Sad
Good
14
Appendix I for Game 1
Leisure
Activity Food
Music
Place Hobby
Film
Appendix II for Game 2
15
Trip
Friends
Feeling Sport
Study
Fashion
16
Appendix II for Game 2
Examples of basic questions about elderly’s past memory
Place: Where was it?
Answer: ___________________________________________
Experience: What had happened?
Answer: ____________________________________________
Time: When did the event happen?
Answer: ____________________________________________
People: Who were with you together in the event?
Answer: ____________________________________________
Feeling: How did you feel?
Answer: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Reason: Why did you …?
Answer: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Appendix III for Game 4
17