How to Communicate Effectively with the Elderly through Simple Activities

Content p.1

p.2

p.3

p.4-5

p.6-7

p.8-9

p.10-11

p.12

p.13-17

1. Purpose of the guide

2. Definition of elderly

3. Possible changes faced by the elderly

4. Games & Activities

4.1 Story Train

4.2 King Of Guesses

4.3 Drawing In Your Mind

4.4 Step Into The Past

5. Useful Tips

6. Appendix

Purpose

How much do you know about the elderly around you?

What is his or her favorite food?

In return, how much do they understand you?

Nowadays, the great difference in beliefs between the elderly

and the youngsters causes a communication breakdown.

We hope this user guide can serve as a practical workbook to

teach the youngsters how to communicate with the elderly

effectively through simple games and activities.

It can also provide them with some useful tips on building a

better relationship with the elderly, making our society more

harmonious.

1

2

A famous psychologist Eric Erikson suggests that there are

8 life stages. Those in the last stage of life, late adulthood, is

known to be elderly.

Different people may define “elderly” in different ways.

According to the definition of the United Nations, “elderly”

refers to people whose ages are above 65. This standard is

widely accepted by different places, including Hong Kong.

Definition

3

When people are getting older, they face changes in

different aspects.

Physical Changes

E.g. appearance and body function

Psychological Changes

E.g. feel depressed due to a loss of control over their

lives

Life Role Changes

E.g. loss of the role as a worker

As the elderly may think that they may no longer be able

to do the things that they used to do, ranging from basic

self care and leisure activities, they will be less

active in their daily life and they may not want to

communicate with others.

Changes faced by

the elderly

4

To be Continued…

Purpose:

- An ice breaking activity to build up relationship

between you and the elderly

Material:

Several pieces of A4 paper

A pair of scissors

Minimum Number of Participants: 2

Steps:

1. Cut a piece of A4 paper into 6 rectangular pieces.

2. Write down a particular word on each small paper.

Story Train

Points to note:

The words can be a place like the park, the bus stop or a

feeling word like sweet, happy or sad etc.

(Examples can be found in Appendix 1)

A pen

A paper or plastic box

Game 1

5

Steps:

3. Put all the small paper into box.

4. Invite the elderly person to draw lot in the box.

5. Invite the elderly person to share a story related to the word

on the paper.

6. Draw another lot to select another paper.

7. Tell your own story related to the word to the elderly person.

8. Invite the elderly person to guess the story ending.

Points to note:

1. Update your words on the paper every time after the game

finished.

2. Use simple words only (examples can be found in the appendix).

3. For the elderly who have visual problems, you can tell them the

word on the paper.

Story Train Game 1

To be Continued… 6

Purpose: To understand the favorites of the elderly

Materials:

Several pieces of A4 paper

A pair of scissors

A pen

Minimum Number of Participants: 2

Steps:

1. Cut a piece ofA4 paper into 6 rectangular pieces.

2. Write down different themes (favorite food, fruit, films, songs

etc. ) on the small paper cards.

3. Invite the elderly person to select the topic he or she wants

talk about.

4. The elderly person gives hints to you.

Points to note:

Examples of themes can be found in Appendix 2.

King of Guesses

Game 2

Steps:

5. You guess the answer.

6. After 5 guesses, the elderly person announces the correct

answer.

7. You select the topic you want to talk about.

8. Gives hints to the elderly person.

9. Invite the elderly person to guess the answer.

10. After 5 guesses, you announce the correct answer.

11. Record the number of correct answers respectively. After five

rounds, see who the “king of guesses” is.

Points to note:

If the elderly person has difficulties in giving hints, you can

raise some questions to guide him or her. For example, is

it a kind of fruit or an activity?

King of Guesses

7

Game 2

To be Continued……

Purpose: To understand the family members of the elderly

Material:

Several pieces of A4 paper

A pen

Minimum Number of Participants: 2

Steps:

1. Invite the elderly person to describe the appearance of one of

his or her relatives.

2. Draw a picture according to the hints given.

3. Guess the relationship between the elderly person and the per-

son described.

4. Invite the elderly person to share a memorable experience

between them.

Drawing in your mind

8

Game 3

Steps:

5. You describe the appearance of one of your relatives.

6. The elderly person draws a picture according to the hints given

by you.

7. The elderly person guesses the relationship between

you and the person described.

8. You share an experience with the elderly person.

Drawing in your mind

9

Game 3

A map

A scanner

A computer

Steps:

Stage 1: Preparation

1. Ask the elderly person where his or her most memorable

place is.

2. Discuss the available days to go to the place again.

Stage 2: Return to the memorable place

1. Go to the place on the scheduled days.

2. Talk and listen to the elderly person about his or her past memory.

3. Jot down some special notes.

4. Take photos for later reference.

To be continued…

Step into the past Purpose: To let the younger generations understand the past

of the elderly

Materials:

A pen

Several pieces of paper

A camera

10

Game 4

Stage 3: Diary making

1. Group your gathered information (words and photos).

2. Design and draft the outline of the diary.

3. Put down the information on pieces of paper.

4. Stick photos on decided area.

5. Decorate the diary with drawings or anything that can

make the diary more beautiful.

Stage 4: Online Diary

1. Create an account in any communication platforms

(Facebook or Blog) for the elderly person

2. Scan the diary on the computer

3. Share with his or her friends and relatives.

Points to note:

1. If the elderly forgets where the experience happened, you

can suggest a place to create new memory with him or her.

2. Invite the elderly person to participate in the design of

their online diary.

3. For the elderly who have walking difficulties, do

not bring them to places that are inaccessible

for wheel chair. 11

Game 4

12

1. If the elderly are too shy or with little interest to talk,

you may encourage them by sharing your story first.

2. If the elderly cannot remember their story well, you can

guide them by some hints.

3. Speak loudly and slowly with patience towards the elderly.

4. Use simple words for communication.

5. Respect the elderly and do not interrupt

while they are speaking.

6. Do not keep on asking the elderly questions which they

refuse to answer.

7. Praise them if they have done a good job to help them to

build up confidence in communication.

8. Make use of body language. Touching hands or shoulders

can give them a sense of security and encouragement.

Useful Tips

Park Family

Work

Bad Surprise

Happy

Appendix I for Game 1

13

School Holiday

Travel

Watch Sad

Good

14

Appendix I for Game 1

Leisure

Activity Food

Music

Place Hobby

Film

Appendix II for Game 2

15

Trip

Friends

Feeling Sport

Study

Fashion

16

Appendix II for Game 2

Examples of basic questions about elderly’s past memory

Place: Where was it?

Answer: ___________________________________________

Experience: What had happened?

Answer: ____________________________________________

Time: When did the event happen?

Answer: ____________________________________________

People: Who were with you together in the event?

Answer: ____________________________________________

Feeling: How did you feel?

Answer: ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

Reason: Why did you …?

Answer: ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

Appendix III for Game 4

17