This presentation is one of many available on senior topics to help families better understand the aging process and find resources to help their loved one remain safe and healthy in their home. To sign up for a workshop please contact our office. Note: Videos and manuals affiliated with this presentation are only available when attending the workshop. For more information go to www.homeinstead.com/650.

1. COMMUNICATION ISSUES
WORKSHOP FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Serving Jefferson & Clallam Counties
Home Instead Senior Care®
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

2. OBJECTIVES FOR TODAY
During today’s workshop, you will:
– Learn when and how to open the lines of
communication with your parents
– Discover which topics are most difficult to
discuss, and have methods to approach them
– Understand the key barriers to
communication, and how to overcome these
barriers
– See where to find additional resources for
assistance
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

3. INTRODUCTION
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

4. OPENING LINES OF COMMUNICATION
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

5. OPENING LINES OF COMMUNICATION –
DISCUSSION
• Rule of thumb: 40-70 RULE®
• Tips: make time to listen, be patient, recognize it
will take more than one conversation
• Remember: keep an open mind, pay attention,
be receptive, look for solutions that work
for all of you
• If you reach an impasse: clear the air, express
your frustrations, back off and try again later
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

6. DIFFICULT TOPICS
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

7. DIFFICULT TOPICS – DISCUSSION
The most difficult topics are:
1. Moving from the family home
2. Money and finances
3. Driving
4. Health issues
Others?
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

8. METHODS OF APPROACH
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

9. METHODS OF APPROACH –
DISCUSSION (1 OF 2)
Tips:
– Be mindful of your speaking methods
– Move toward solutions that provide the maximum
amount of independence
– Look for answers that optimize strengths and desires
– Remember you are talking to an adult, not a child
– Not everything needs to be solved right away
Put yourself in your parents’ shoes.
How would you want to be addressed?
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

10. METHODS OF APPROACH –
DISCUSSION (2 OF 2)
T.E.M.P.O.
– Timing
– Experience
– Motivation
– Place
– Outcome
Source: www.talk-early-talk-often.com
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

11. BARRIERS AND HOW TO
OVERCOME THEM
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

12. BARRIERS AND HOW TO OVERCOME
THEM – DISCUSSION (1 OF 2)
Barriers Ways to Overcome Them
• Be patient and speak more clearly
• Face the person when you talk
Hearing loss • Avoid talking while you eat
• Consider an assistive listening device to improve communication by phone
• Don’t take it personally if the elderly person doesn’t recognize you right away
Vision loss • Be aware when the elderly person becomes tired and wants the visit to end
Age-related • Keep in mind that the elderly person may not recall recent events
memory loss • Be patient
• Understand your different perspectives – adult children are used to completing tasks quickly and
Parent/child
efficiently; by contract elderly parents are letting go of duties and responsibilities as they settle
relationship into retirement
Refusal to
• Enlist the support of other family members, friends, and trusted medical advisors
communicate
Enlist the support of other family members, friends, medical advisors!
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

13. TO US, IT’S PERSONAL ®
Take Action! • What topic or difficult
conversation have I been avoiding?
• What resources do I need to
search, talk to, or meet with
before having the conversation?
• What is my TEMPO strategy?
• What is my personal deadline for
having the first conversation with
my mom and/or dad?
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

14. RESOURCES
Helpful websites:
www.caring.com
www.dramycaregiving.com
www.homeinstead.com*
*also in your phone book
Also check local, state, and
national government and
nonprofit agencies
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

15. ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE –
LOCAL OFFICE
Personal Care Home Helper Services
• Bathing & Toileting • Provide Alzheimer’s care
• Dressing • Assist with laundry and ironing
• Grooming • Take out garbage
• Aid with morning and wake-up
Companionship Services • Arrange appointments
• Provide respite care • Aid with reading, walking
• Monitor diet and eating • Write letters and correspondence
• Check food expirations • Change linens
• Assist with evening and tuck-in • And more…
• Stimulate mental awareness
• Assist with entertaining
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

16. Thank You!
For additional information about this presentation or Home
Instead Senior Care of the North Olympic Peninsula please
contact your local office.
Port Ludlow – (360) 437-9884
Port Townsend – (360) 385-6357
Sequim – (360) 681-2511
www.homeinstead.com/650
© Home Instead, Inc. 2010. This information is proprietary and confidential to Home Instead, Inc. Unauthorized use is prohibited.