Talking with Relatives in Aged Care

Course Overview

In this module, you will explore the challenges of communicating with the relatives and carers of people, including residents, who receive aged care.

Topics

• Conducting formal communication with a relative
• Communicating with relatives who may not be confident in speaking English
• Defusing difficult situations
• Scenarios to review your learning and much, much more ...

Learning Outcomes

• Help and encourage the relatives of those in your care to better communicate with you.
• Be able to conduct a conversation with relatives that meets both party’s needs - yours and theirs.
• Summarise a conversation you have with a relative of a person in your care.

Target Audience

All staff who work in Residential Aged Care including those that are commencing at any level.

Validation of learning:

• Attend in-house or external training on topics such as communication techniques, unconscious bias or cultural diversity; and
• Read any relevant policies and procedures on this topic that apply to your workplace.
• Rather than waiting for a relative to initiate a chat, start a conversation with them about a non-urgent issue, for example, what they did on the weekend, or how things are going for them at the moment. Write down your reflections in your professional portfolio.
• Design a 'Hint Sheet' for new staff members, with five key things for them to take on board when they talk with relatives in aged care. Dot points will work well here.

Disclosure

This material was developed by the content expert listed below. It is presented by a professional presenter.

Educator

Andrew Crowther

Dr Andrew Crowther is adjunct associate professor in nursing and the former associate head of the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health at Charles Sturt University. His postgraduate studio includes education, state policy and social change, and mental hospital administration. Andrew qualified in general and psychiatric nursing in the UK. His postgraduate studies include policy and social change and historical aspects of mental hospital management. Andrew has wide experience in clinical nursing, nurse management, and education. He is the author of a book for nurse managers, as well as several texts and book chapters on a variety of topics. See Educator Profile