1.1 Meeting an individual’s communication needs is really important if you want to develop a good working relationship with them. It is essential that the people you support trust you as you are working very closely with them. To provide people person centred care you need to be able to find out their individual needs, wishes and preferences and to do this you need to be able to communicate. You have a duty to work out how to improve or overcome communication barriers, and if they are not resolved then there is a risk that you will cross boundaries, provide care that a person doesn’t wish to have, or provide care in a way that the person doesn’t like. Everyone has a right to dignity, respect and choice and we need to be able to meet their communication needs in order to provide this.
1.2 In my role I am constantly adapting the way that I communicate to meet people’s specific needs and making use of a lot of different forms of communication in order to find out people’s preferences and care for people in the ways they wish to be cared for. I have learnt that it is really important for me to watch people’s reactions and body language when I am communicating with them because quite often it helps me ascertain how they are feeling and highlights when there may be a problem or they are unhappy with something.
1.3 Features of the environment that may help or hinder communication may be:
Sensory impairment, for example deafness, blindness or both
Culture, for example different languages or strong accents
Religion, for example men not permitted to help women with personal care
Health issues, for example mental ill health such as dementia
Emotions, for example low self-esteem or difficulty in listening to others
Background noise, for example the radio or television
Specialist communication techniques, for example sign language
1.4 Someone may use a form of communication that is not based on a formal language system for a number of reasons: maybe they can’t speak the same language as you, or maybe a physical disability or illness makes them unable to, if they have mental ill health such as dementia they may have lost the ability to, or perhaps they are deaf or dysphasic.
1.5 We can communicate verbally using vocabulary, words, different languages, tone of voice and the pitch of our voice. We can communicate non-verbally using eye contact, signs, symbols, pictures, writing, objects, touch, physical gestures, body language, emotions and lip reading. We can use assistive technology such as hearing aids, text telephones, large print, braille, and types of augmentative and alternative communication systems which vary depending on the user’s needs and capability. We can seek advice and guidance from translators, interpreters, sign language and lip speakers and speech and language specialists.
1.6 I imagine that the effect that unmet communication needs could have on a person could be severe. If the lack of communication results in inadequate or impersonal care then the person could become angry and distressed. I think being unable to communicate with others could leave someone feeling withdrawn and depressed. It could take effect on their physical and mental health.
2.3 If ever you would like support about communication needs you should be able to speak to your managers or one of the nurses. If you would like further information about how to address