Communicating with someone that speaks a different language than you do is never easy. If you’ve ever been in a different country and have tried to communicate with someone that doesn’t speak the same language as you, you have experienced how frustrating this can be on both sides of things. A lack of communication makes things take longer, it is stressful, and there are almost always mistakes made by the communicating parties.
When something like senior care becomes a need, communication is important. It doesn’t matter if it’s a language barrier, issues from advanced dementia, or complications from a stroke or another physical disability, if there’s a gap in someone receiving care’s ability to speak, then the potential for bad care–or worse–increases dramatically.
Right now, the majority of people in the United States speak English. But this might not always be the case, especially in areas closer to Mexico and areas with larger numbers of immigrants. In many parts of the country, individuals that speak another language other than English are becoming more and more populous, even outside of metropolitan areas. Indigenous individuals, Inuits, and other native tribes and immigrants are all prevalent in some rural areas. Communication is an issue that we all must be aware of, regardless of where we live. This poses a difficulty for those in the healthcare and human services fields. Again, difficulty in communication increases the amount of time that care takes, increases the risk of mistakes or wishes not being precisely followed, and increases stress levels for everyone.
Language barriers and communication difficulties can present unique challenges regarding senior care.
Taking steps to help prevent this from happening is important, then. Minimizing or eliminating the language barrier helps to improve the quality of care that is received.
Whatever route you and your family decide to take when it comes to senior care, having a team that understands and adheres to your goals and wishes is important. When a communication barrier is in place, either because of language, disability, or something else, you want to be sure that the people helping out with care are fighting for what’s best for the people that you love. The right team, with the right training, is essential here. Having a family member or friend that can act as an advocate can also help.
The right team can help avoid issues like this. Having the right people on your side when pursuing senior care can help ensure that a loved one receives the best care possible. Having someone that can help advocate for their needs and goals when it comes to care is important, especially if they are unable to voice those things on their own.
If you’re unsure of where to start to help a loved one find care, let us know. We can help you get pointed in the right direction. Feel free to call us, send an email, or even comment on this blog post. One of our trained care professionals would be honored to let you know what we can do to help minimize communication issues when it comes to serving your family.
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