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3. Constraints to communication

7. Emotional and physiological barriers

There will be times when people may be affected by their emotional state and this may be heightened if people are suffering from mental health disorders. Some tips to remember include:

  • medication can affect  emotional state
  • remain calm and keep your voice unhurried
  • be aware of the person's emotional state (angry, depressed, anxious, fearful). Affirm that you understand how they may be feeling.
  • use shorter sentences, take time to listen.

Physiological barriers:

Hearing impairment

Communicating with a person with a hearing impairment:

    • gain attention through touch
    • position yourself appropriately
    • allow them to see your face clearly
    • turn off other sources of noise (with permission)
    • use writing instead.

Vision impairment

Communicating with a person with vision impairment:
    • announce yourself clearly
    • use a light touch
    • allow them to touch
    • allow them to see your face clearly.

Mobility impairment

Communicating with a person with a mobility impairment:

    • where possible, sit down to speak with the person so that you are at the same eye level
    • don't have onto a person's wheelchair or tray - the chair is part of their personal space
    • don't speak to them as if they have another disability, for example, raising your voice as if they are deaf.

Speech impairment

Communicating with a person with speech impairment:

    • short simple specific sentences
    • remove distractions
    • allow them to finish
    • be honest about not understanding
    • use writing instead
    • use communication aids.

Cognitive impairment

Communicating with a person with a cognitive impairment:

    • approach from the front
    • use touch
    • short simple specific language
    • use closed questions
    • avoid presenting too many options.