When communicating with older patients who have sensory changes, what is the recommended approach?

• A. Be explicit, articulate, and check understanding
• B. Speak only in writing
• C. Use slang to relate
• D. Assume patient understands

Answer: (A)

Clear, explicit communication with older patients who have sensory changes is essential to ensure they understand instructions and can participate safely in care. When someone may have hearing loss or vision impairment, it’s important to speak clearly and at a comfortable pace, face the patient, and use plain, concrete language. Provide information in manageable chunks and avoid medical jargon that can confuse. After conveying information, check understanding by asking the patient to repeat back the key points or demonstrate what will be done. If needed, supplement with written or visual aids and ensure the environment is well-lit with minimal background noise.

This approach is superior because it directly addresses potential barriers to understanding, reducing the risk of miscommunication and procedural mistakes. Speaking only in writing can fail if the patient has limited literacy or vision issues. Slang can be misinterpreted or seem disrespectful, and assuming understanding can lead to missed details and unsafe care.