Understanding Receptive Language Skills in Seniors and How to Support Them
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According to MCIS Language Solutions, there are over 160 distinct English dialects in the world. It's incredible how language has evolved over time, but what's even more impressive is how the human brain learns and retains language.
Receptive language skills are extremely important for staying socially connected and maintaining independence, especially for older adults. But as we get older, these skills can shift in subtle or noticeable ways.
Learning about these changes ahead of time can better prepare us for the future, though. So keep reading to find out more about this subject and see how senior living communities can support older adults in Emeryville, CA.
How Do Receptive Language Skills Change With Age?
Changes in the way we understand and process communication are normal with aging. But there are several factors that can cause these shifts.
Below, we'll discuss the key factors you should be aware of.
Processing Speed Slows
The brain can take longer to process words and sentences, so speech comprehension in aging becomes slower. Seniors may need a pause before they respond, even if they fully understand what's said.
Hearing Loss Affects Understanding
Another natural thing we experience is hearing loss. Of course, this will affect our receptive language skills since there are missing words or sounds. This makes it harder to follow conversations, especially in noisy environments.
Difficulty With Complex Sentences or Fast Speech
Typically, older adults will have a better time following short, clear statements. Long and rapid explanations may be more confusing for them, and they may need more time to process.
Cognitive Changes
Unfortunately, many seniors are affected by cognitive changes. Even a mild decline can make multi-step directions or group conversations harder to track.
Fatigue and Stress
It's normal to have mental health issues, but for aging adults, there's usually a stigma around them. They may experience additional stress and fatigue due to a lack of support in this area. As a result, mental or physical strain can make comprehension more difficult at certain times of the day.
Non-Typical Changes
The above can be normal changes in receptive language skills, but seniors can go through non-typical changes as well. These shifts may point to something more serious, so it's essential that you keep an eye out for these red flags.
Non-typical changes you should watch out for include:
- Sudden or rapid loss of understanding
- Inability to understand familiar words
- Confusion in safe or familiar settings
- Withdrawal from communication
- Changes paired with other symptoms (e.g., sudden memory loss, personality changes, or trouble performing daily tasks)
Some of these can be early dementia signs or other neurological problems, so bring these concerns to a physician immediately, as they can provide further testing. They may even recommend memory care in Emeryville, CA.
How Senior Living Can Support Communication
It's true that many older adults can live at home independently for quite some time. But the truth is, they'd enjoy a better quality of life in a senior living community, even if they're still capable of living independently. This is because the communities are set up to cater specifically to aging needs.
Here are all the ways your loved one can receive senior communication support in such a community.
Quieter Environments for Easier Listening
As we've mentioned earlier, hearing loss can make it more difficult for older adults to follow conversations. This can frustrate them, resulting in them opting to sit out instead.
Senior living communities prevent this from happening by having quieter environments. These dedicated spaces reduce background noise so conversations can flow more easily. This can easily get your beloved senior back into social activities and retain their receptive language skills.
Access to Hearing Support
Seniors may go into retirement communities with perfect hearing at first, but as time goes on, they may experience hearing loss. In that case, there are staff members who can help connect them with hearing specialists and get them the devices they need to improve clarity.
Structured Activities That Encourage Conversation
Conversations can be tough to get going in some cases, especially if seniors are expected to just sit and talk. To eliminate the awkwardness, senior living communities provide structured activities that encourage conversation, such as games, music, and storytelling. These all strengthen comprehension in a fun and supportive way.
Consistent Routines
Part of effective assisted living cognitive help is consistent routines. When you have predictable schedules, this makes communication less stressful and easier to follow.
Encouragement of Family Involvement
Senior living communities highly encourage family members to get involved with communication. Sometimes, they even provide guidance that can help you communicate more effectively during visits or calls.
How You Can Help Your Loved One
The environment and people that seniors are surrounded by can greatly affect their communication skills. We've already explained how senior living communities can provide support, but how can you also help your loved one with better communication?
Luckily, there are several easy things you can do either at home or during visits. Our tips are:
- Speak slowly, with pauses for processing
- Use short, clear sentences instead of long instructions
- Check for understanding by gently confirming
- Use visual aids like notes, gestures, or objects
- Encourage storytelling with open-ended questions
- Eliminate distractions like the TV or music in the background
- Stay patient and supportive, showing respect and presence
Support Your Loved One With Their Receptive Language Skills
Receptive language skills can naturally change with age, so if you notice them in your elderly loved one, it's not necessarily a cause for concern. These shifts don't have to get in the way of meaningful connection, especially if you provide your beloved senior with the support they need.
In addition, you can speak with them about moving into a senior living community. In this environment, they'll receive exceptional care and support, and if you find one close by, you can visit them often too.
Contact us now if you're interested in senior living in the Bay Area. 1440 By the Bay has a dynamic community life calendar that's packed with activities to keep our residents engaged and happy, such as holiday lunches, bingo, and brain games.