Why Conversation Matters For Older Adults And Veterans

Live conversation is losing ground to texting among older adults. With the proliferation of smartphones, 1 in 3 older adults increasingly are texting with others; and according to an AARP survey, 92% of seniors text regularly. Senior texting is viewed as “patient empowerment” for health-related services. But is this good for their mental health, let alone their physical health? Studies suggest the answer is no, and in fact, overreliance on texting can negatively impact emotion and cognition. Given the risks associated with social isolation, texting does not compare to a back-and-forth conversation.

Read this brief, by Senior Care Advocate Laurie Orlov, to learn about why and how live conversations are a critical component of better overall health outcomes for seniors and veterans with hearing loss. The brief explores:

• Current trends in communication technologies for people with hearing loss

• The “media richness theory” and how it applies to this topic

• How captioned telephones can play a central role in enhancing communication

It’s a must-read for people with hearing loss or those who care for them.