TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Breaking Down Barriers
Clare Vale, Managing Director at Sign Solutions, explains why it is important for care providers to train staff on Deaf awareness to remove communication obstacles and ensure an inclusive, safe and comfortable environment for all.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, close-contact visits with family members have been impossible for care home residents due to government restrictions, leaving many of them fearful and lonely.
The problem is heightened for profoundly Deaf residents, many of whom rely on lip-pattern and facial expression to communicate and cannot stay connected with their loved ones through a simple phone call. Furthermore, Deaf residents are oſten met with additional challenges when it comes to communicating with hearing care home staff.
According to Action on Hearing Loss, around 75% of people in a care home have hearing loss, with this figure expected to increase to 80% by 2032.
If care home residents are not supported to effectively manage their hearing loss, it can lead to communication difficulties, social isolation, loneliness, anger, frustration and low confidence – all of which will only be further exacerbated by the impacts of COVID-19 and social restrictions.
All care home residents, including those with hearing loss, should be able to have clear and meaningful interaction with staff and family members throughout current challenges and beyond. In fact, it is their legal right.
Under the Equality Act 2010, people have the right to expect reasonable adjustments to be made if they face substantial difficulties accessing social care services due to their deafness or hearing loss.
In England, ensuring older people with hearing loss get the right support to communicate well and understand information is also a legal requirement under the Accessible Information Standard.
BECOMING DEAF AWARE
To improve communication between Deaf residents and hearing staff members, care homes must become ‘Deaf aware’. Deaf Awareness Training workshops can help educate staff on the challenges their Deaf residents may face and can help them communicate confidently and comfortably.
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Training can also include a lesson in basic British Sign Language [BSL] to put staff at ease when greeting Deaf residents, asking how they are etc. Whilst care home workers do not need to be fluent, having the ability to communicate in basic BSL could go a long way in helping Deaf residents feel less isolated.
Care home operators could also think about enrolling hearing residents onto a virtual signing class as a fun and social exercise which will promote all-round positive attitudes to Deafness and encourage them to communicate with Deaf residents.
ON-DEMAND INTERPRETERS
In today’s digital world, accessing a BSL interpreter on demand is easier than ever for care homes. Technologies and services are readily available to help Deaf residents communicate with family and staff members, and interpreters can be booked at the click of a button.
Video BSL interpretation can be implemented to remove the communication barriers for Deaf residents and give them freedom to access the same level of care and communication as hearing residents.
Where an interpreter is required, care homes must ensure they are of a high standard and that any video interactions are conducted using an appropriate and secure platform. For example, the InterpretersLive! service delivers real-time access to qualified and registered BSL interpreters and has the flexibility to be delivered via most video communications tools including Starleaf, Attend Anywhere and Microsoſt Teams.
Communication needs among Deaf care home residents remain largely unmet and more must be done to ensure they can interact effectively with both staff and family members. By becoming Deaf aware and offering BSL interpreters, care home operators can help reduce Deaf residents’ feelings of isolation and ensure they experience excellent communication and care.
www.signsolutions.uk.com
www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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