Family Communication Skills

Geriatric Care Management – Communication

When it comes to family communications, it’s never too late to improve. Even families with long histories of not communicating very well…or at all…can learn to share their views and ideas for meeting the senior care needs their loved ones. We often hear about the importance of  “letting go” and when our loved ones are in their golden years its crucial to put family issues to the side and face the reality of the challenges ahead for both senior citizens and the family members who may become responsible for informed decision making and elder care planning.

If your family is communications-challenged, try these simple rules:Learn to tell…and to accept…the truth.

• The varnish is less important than the woodwork it covers.
• Think of family communications as an opportunity for personal and family growth.
• Put your issues and concerns out on the table for discussion. Do others see the situation the way you do? Be open to give and take, but try to move in the direction of a consensus about what the senior care needs and opportunities really are.
• Be inclusive. Draw out what each family member is thinking and feeling, including the senior or seniors for whom you are trying to support.
• Stick with it. Reaching a consensus usually takes some work. Be willing to give it the time and effort it requires.
• Be open to both asking for and accepting help. The whole idea is to not “go it alone.”
• Share the load. Make sure there is basic fairness going on in terms of the financial, time, and emotional costs of the family’s overall care efforts.
• Know when to say “no.” If the “fairness” message is not getting through, or if you are simply stretched beyond your capacity, it may be a time to say “no.”