COMMUNICATION OF OLDER PEOPLE - CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES
COMMUNICATION OF OLDER PEOPLE - CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES

Author(s): Ivana Vidak
Subject(s): Communication studies, Demography and human biology, Gerontology
Published by: Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Ekonomski fakultet u Osijeku
Keywords: communication; older people; communication style; communication skills;
Summary/Abstract: Communication is an integral part of our everyday lives, be it intrapersonal or interpersonal communication. The focus of this paper is on the communication of older people and the ways (recommendations) which would make this communication more successful, as well as the challenges it brings. Today’s society is getting older, especially in underdeveloped countries, and it is therefore necessary to create age-friendly environments to enable satisfaction and possibilities to enjoy ages 65+. Notwithstanding the development level, there is still judging and prejudice about older people based on age alone, and not on the actual abilities and efficiency which a person possesses. Hence, the state, as the bearer of different legal frameworks, is to devise certain strategies for the elderly population to ensure guidelines for help, and, ultimately, for support. For the purpose of this paper, research based on a questionnaire for the third age population (65+) was conducted, divided into three subgroups: the young-old (65-74), the middle old (75-84) and the very old (85+) with questions defining the style of communication and communication skills in general. The research aimed to gather information on how older people perceive intrapersonal communication on the one hand, and interpersonal communication with their environment on the other, to improve their communication skills.

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