Providers need to identify an older person’s communication support needs early. This helps them provide person-centred, quality care and services in line with their needs, goals and preferences.
Difficulties communicating can involve a person’s speech, expression or understanding. Many older people living in residential care homes find it difficult to communicate because of conditions like:
- stroke
- dementia
- progressive neurological conditions (such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease or multiple sclerosis)
- medication
- loose dentures
- hearing or vision loss
- intellectual disability.
When an older person moves into a residential care home, a detailed assessment should be completed to identify and understand any communication difficulties. Regular care reviews to identify and monitor changes to communication are also important.
Where communication difficulties are found, providers should talk to the older person and their family and supporters about having a communication assessment completed by a speech pathologist. This makes sure individuals are able to communicate their needs, preferences and goals. It also makes sure that care and services delivered are based on what the person actually wants, not on assumptions.
Key to supporting choice, independence and decision-making
For many older people, communication difficulties can be mistaken for cognitive impairment. However, a person may be able to make decisions but have difficulty communicating these. Supported decision-making works when you give people the help they want or need to understand, communicate and take part in decisions.
Key to care planning
Communication strategies and collaborative care planning are important to deliver person-centred care. Developing care and service plans with older people makes sure individual goals and preferences are known and supported. When there are barriers to communication, care plans may not capture what truly matters to the person.
Key to clinical safety
Communication is also a key part of safe clinical care. Older people must be able to communicate their:
- symptoms
- pain
- discomfort
- negative effects of treatment
- changes in their condition
- concerns about their care.
Not identifying communication difficulties can lead to:
- unrecognised pain
- missed symptoms of illness
- delayed diagnosis and treatment
- poor understanding of care options.
Key to taking part and working together
Identifying communication support needs early allows providers to find ways to encourage inclusion and participation. This helps older people stay connected with family, friends, staff and engage in social activities in their community.
By providing communication support, you can move past simply caring for older people, to working together. This partnership between providers and older people is the foundation of:
- dignity
- Choice
- person-centred care.
Speech Pathology Week
Speech pathologists are communication specialists. ‘Communication creates possibility’ is the theme of Speech Pathology Week, which runs from 23–29 August 2026. It’s hosted by the national peak body, Speech Pathology Australia. You can find out more about communication difficulties, speech pathologists and where to find one in your area on the Speech Pathology Australia website.