Communication
Different contexts in which communication may occur
One to one communication is the act of communication by one individual to another, just two individuals. Group communication is the act of communication between three or more individuals. There are lots of different types of communication ranging from speaking in person, texting, sign language, emailing, facial expressions, Makaton, body language, etc.
Communication between colleagues is communication between two or more people that work together. This can be at a formal or informal level, depending on the context of the conversation that the colleagues are having. In a residential home some colleagues may be having a conversation in the staff room meaning it would likely to be informal whereas, if the colleagues were having a conversation while they were doing work, it would most likely be formal as it could be discussing service users needs, condition, treatment, etc. as it would be in working conditions and discussing something serious.
Communication between professionals and services users is for example, communication between a nurse and a patient. This type of communication is usually kept at a formal level. In a residential care home, a professional may be having a conversation with a service user; this could be discussing or explaining their situation and what may be best for their health, happiness, etc. Communication between professionals and service user could actually also be informal as well, the professional and the service user may just be having a casual chat.
Communication with professionals is the communication between service users and the professionals that work at the care home, for example, a resident at the care home and a care worker who works there. This can be on a formal or informal level, depending on what the conversation is about. In the residential care home, the resident and care worker could be discussing the help the resident needs, etc which would be formal or they could be communicating on a more informal level and they could be discussing the weather, what they did last night, their friends, etc.
Communication between multi-agency workers is the communication between two professionals that work with different agencies, for example, communication between a care worker and a speech therapist. This type of communication is kept at a formal level. In a residential care home, a care worker may be having a discussion with the speech therapist about a service user who has had a stroke’s condition, needs and preferences.
The role of interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skills are used in the residential care home. The role of interpersonal skills is to communicate with people and there are lots of different types of interpersonal skills that can be used. First of all, there are facial expressions. Facial expressions are a non verbal way of communicating and these facial expressions can range from a smile, raising eyebrows, a frown, etc to show the emotions of one person to another person or people. For example, facial expressions play a role in a care home setting as a resident who may not be able to communicate by talking every easily could let the care workers know how they are feeling, if they are uncomfortable, if they like or dislike something, etc.
Another interpersonal skill is body language. Body is language is a non verbal way of communicating and body language can range from hands on hips, slouching, crossed arms, crossed legs, hand on head, etc. to show the emotions of one person to another person or people. Body language is used in a care home setting by staff members and also residents. For example, care workers should be able to tell if a resident is comfortable in whatever they are doing by looking at their body language and you can also tell how they are feeling e.g. they might be bored if they are slouching or they might be angry if they’ve got their hands on their hips.
Speech is also an interpersonal