Assessing Interpersonal Communication Skills of Aged People and Their Caregivers

Abstract

Aims Since communication problems between caregivers and the elderly cause reduction and deficiency in caring and issues such as ignoring elderly people and negligence in caring by the caregivers, therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the interpersonal communication skills of elderlies and their caregivers in Khorzugh, Isfahan province. Instruments & Methods In this descriptive-analytical research, 140 elderly people in Khorzugh were selected by convenience sampling method as a target community. Data collection tools were demographic information questionnaire and Queendam’s communication skills questionnaire. Spss16 software, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Chi-square tests, and Spearman correlation were used for data analysis. Findings The mean and standard deviation of elderly people and their caregivers were 66.39±6.16 and 55.0+6.38, respectively. Average score of communication skills of caregivers and elderly from 170 scores was 75.83±11.79 and 90.37±3.81, respectively. The communication skills showed a significant statistical relationship with the age in caregivers group and age and occupation in the elderly group (p<0.05). Also, in the elderlies, there was a significant statistical relationship between attitude toward communication with marriage status, listening with living condisions, and emotion control with number of children (p<0.05). Conclusion According to the results of this study, the level of communication skills of caregivers and most of the elderly was moderate regarding the importance of these skills in establishing effective communication between caregivers and the elderly. The necessity of creating appropriate conditions is felt for improving these skills and it is better to conduct educational programs to enhance the communication skills of the elderly and their caregivers.