If the person is a family member, you could ask them about events in your family history or about other family members you never had the opportunity to know. If the person is a stranger, you could ask them about their family or what their life was like when they were your age.
For instance, you might say to your neighbor, “I haven’t seen your grandchildren in a while. When’s the last time they visited?” Or, you might say, “What sort of books have you read lately, Mr. Henderson?”
You could say something like, “Uncle Joe, I’m having a hard time choosing between two jobs. Which do you think is more important, making a lot of money or enjoying your work?”
If the elderly person has trouble following what you’re saying, you may need to slow down or use shorter sentences. This doesn’t mean you should talk down to the older person, though.
For instance, don’t just say, “Where would you like to go today?” Instead, say, “Would you rather go to the park or a coffee shop?”
For instance, if the person is having a hard time hearing you, move closer to them and speak more loudly. If the person seems to get confused easily, use shorter sentences and be patient as you get your point across. If they have memory loss, avoid asking too many questions at once. Also, avoid “why” questions, which may frustrate them. If you can, try to find out ahead of time about any communication issues the person may have before you start conversing with them.
Many older people feel insulted when others talk to them as if they are children, even if those people don’t mean any harm.
For instance, if the person mentions living in another country, you could ask them to tell you more about that part of their life.
Think about how you want people to talk to you someday when you are elderly, and use that as a guideline for yourself.
