Talking Together
Effective communication can help families reduce conflict and misunderstanding. So when you are planning for long-term care or making decisions in a crisis, using the principles of effective communication can help. Nothing will work in every situation, but it’s worth a try. There are three principles of effective communication that may be helpful as families talk together to plan for long-term care, make difficult decisions, or express emotions. These principles are speaking clearly, listening carefully and responding accurately.
Speak Clearly
When you need to communicate your thoughts or wishes, take the time to speak clearly in order to express your feelings accurately.
Be a Good Listener
When someone is talking to you, make an effort to be a good listener. You need to be able to both speak clearly and listen carefully in order to communicate effectively.
Respond accurately
Use a technique called “reflective listening” where you “reflect” back your understanding of what the other person has said. This can help avoid misunderstanding by giving the person the opportunity to clarify or correct what they are trying to say. For example, you might say, “I think I’m hearing that you are angry about the decision to sell Mom’s house.” The other person could respond either with, “Yes, I’m angry about this decision….” Or they might say, “No, that’s not what I meant. I was just expressing sadness that we had to sell it.” So by “reflective listening,” you are able to have a better understanding of what is being said and felt by the other person.
