“Silent but Significant”: The Role of Nonverbal Communication in Elderly Care

Abstract

The elderly population requires specialized care, and nonverbal communication plays a vital role in improving the quality of their care. This paper explores the impact of nonverbal communication in elderly care, including its effects on patient outcomes and the nurse-patient relationship. The study draws on research from various nursing articles from PubMed, Sage Journals, and Google Scholar to demonstrate the importance of nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, gestures, touch, and body language. This is a qualitative study with inductive analysis, a method that uses research questions to limit the study’s scope also inclusion and exclusion process was applied; how closely the articles related to nursing, whether articles were suitable for referencing purposes, and if they were eligible for analysis and classification. Barriers of nonverbal communication in elderly care were closely linked to patient characteristics, language, cultural diversity, and nurse personalities. These factors can hinder communication between nurses and elderly patients, making it difficult to provide high-quality care and build strong relationships. The findings suggest that nonverbal communication can enhance patient satisfaction, reduce anxiety, and improve overall well-being. The study concludes by highlighting the need for nurses to develop skills and methods for providing adequate care to elderly people through nonverbal communication.