Situation
(describe & include mini case study)
How to overcome the barrier
Where to access the support if necessary
Lack of understanding

Lack of understanding is when a message that is sent or received is not understood properly by participants of the conversation.
An example of this could be in a local GP when a service user and doctor are discussing the service user’s medical history but the service user may not understand certain things because of the terminology used.
A way that the barrier can be overcome is by using terminology that the service user and doctor can both understand. Another way this barrier can be overcome is by using written communication.
If support is necessary then it should be accessed when the conversation first begins. This is because it makes the conversation flow more easily and understandable for each participant.
Confusion

Confusion is when one participant of the conversation may not understand the nature of the conversation or what is being said.
An example of confusion during communication could be when an elderly service user gets confused about certain topics while talking to people.
This barrier could be overcome by holding regular memory-lane sessions. This could help strengthen the elderly service user’s memory.
Support could be accessed during the regular memory-lane sessions, for example instead of one to one activities small groups of 2-3 service users and around 4 care providers can be used. This will then encourage the service users to think and regenerate ideas.
Speaking a different language

Speaking a different language is when either the service user or care giver speaks a different language.
For example in a local GP the service user may not fully understand what the doctor is saying because of the language barrier.

A way that this could be overcome is by hiring a doctor that is multi-lingual, this then allows the service users to talk to their doctor freely about whatever the issue is.
Support would be required at the first stage of this encounter this is because it will create a more relaxed atmosphere as a pose to a translator going into to the meeting half way.
Loss of speech

Loss of speech is when the service user is unable to speak. This could be due to medical conditions or lack of confidence.
An example of this could be a service user in a care home with aphasia.
To overcome this barrier in the care homes the care givers should encourage the service user’s to communicate with each other. If they are still unable to communicate with each other then methods such as written communication and