Äldre döva och kommunikation
en kvalitativ studie av kommunikationens betydelse
DövaSocialt arbeteäldre - institutionsvårdäldreomsorgKommunikationPsykosocial hälsaCare and help to handicappedHandikappadeVård och rehabiliteringSocial Sciences
The purpose was to study what significance communication has for the psychosocial health of elderly deaf people who live in old peoples homes. I also explored how communication works between the staff.- How do the staff feel the communication works between members of the staff and between the staff and the residents?- How do the staffs think that the staffs' knowledge of the culture of the deaf community and sign language affects the psychological health of the residents?- What changes have the staff noticed in the residents since they moved to the ward?In order to accomplish study this area I have used semi-structured qualitative interviews and observations.The main conclusion of this paper was that the possibility to communicate in ones own language was fundamental for the psychosocial health of the residents. The people I interviewed expressed that communication between the residents and the staff worked well, but communication was a problem between the staff members. Knowledge of the culture of the deaf and sign language, within the staff, had a positive influence on the psychosocial health of the residents. The people I interviewed have noticed a positive psychological and social change in the residents.