Identify different reasons why people communicate?

People communicate for a number of different reasons;
It’s a way of giving and receiving information and ideas with others.
People communicate to gain more knowledge and learn more skills.
To improve a situation.
To overcome barriers that could have aroused.
To create and make friendships.
To ensure all your needs are met.
You must communicate to be able to achieve what you need and want out of life, just like the Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs states, you must achieve what’s at the bottom before working on the rest, and you need communication to achieve them all:

Self- actualization
Morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice, acceptance of facts

Esteem
Self-esteem, confidence, achievement, respect of others, respect by others

Love/belonging
Friendship, family, sexual intimacy

Safety
Security of body, of employment, of resources, of morality, of the family, of health, of property

Physiological
Breathing, food, water, sex, sleep, homeostasis, excretion

Explain how effective communications affects all aspects of working in a care setting?

Effective communications affects the way you work in a care setting as having good communication skills will enable you to build a strong professional relationship with both other staff members and service users. It will also ensure that the tasks that have to be carried out are done correctly and how the service user likes them to be carried out, i.e. with personal care. Having good communication skills will also enable you to notice if there is a change in a service user’s behaviour, then you are able to discover what the issue is and overcome these.

Why is it important to observe individuals reactions when communicating with them?

It’s important to observe individuals reactions when communicating with them as you can identify any changes in there mood or behaviour, i.e. are they un-happy, looking worried, become more irritable etc., then you can find a way to resolve the issues that have occurred to insure the service user remains happy and cared for to the highest standards. It’s also important to watch the reactions of both service users and other staff members to ensure they have fully understood and took on board what’s been said to them, at any point you feel they do not understand it means you can then try communicating with them again in the same manor if they still do not understand you can look into other ways to communicate with the individual so they understand you.

Explain why it is important to find out an individual’s communication needs, wishes and preferences?

When you meet an individual for the first time it’s important to determine how best you will communicate with them, firstly starting with how both them and you would like to be addressed, i.e. Mrs Wood, or on first name basis. All this information can be found in the service users care plans and will tell you the best way to communicate with the individual. It’s essential that you find out the best way to communicate so you can understand their wishes and preferences to be able to give more one-one care to them, i.e. if the service user prefers to wear a certain pair of shoes; this will make the service user feel valued and respected and in control of what happens to them. Having good communication skills will also make the service user feel comfortable to approach you if a problem occurs this could be anything from their care not been delivered how they like to a more serious issue like safeguarding.

Describe a range of communication methods?

Visual:
Eye contact
Lip reading
Signs / symbols
Gestures
Body language

Auditory / Sound
Language
Tone of voice
Pitch
Language
Kinaesthetic / Touch
Textures
Braille

Taste
Smooth textures

Smell
Scents
Atmosphere

Written
Braille
Language
Signs
Colour

Identify what barriers there are to communications?

There are many barriers that can arise when trying to communicate