Journal des soins infirmiers et des soins

Analysis of Utterances by Older Persons in 'Life-Worldly' Communication with Caregivers in Japan

Abstract

Yasuko Fukaya*, Takanori Kitamura, Sachiyo Koyama, Kanako Yamakuma and Shinobu Sato

Objective: The purpose of this study is to grasp the actual conditions of utterances by elderly persons in geriatric care facilities in Japan. Specifically, the study considers utterance frequency, duration, and structure according to the two types of communication: Type I (Task-oriented) and Type II (Life-worldly). Method: Study subjects were comprised of 37 residents in three long-term care facilities in Japan. The study surveyed the personal attributes of each elderly person, and the type and duration of utterances they made within 1 day. Type I and II communication characteristics were both quantitatively and qualitatively investigated. Results: The duration of utterances from older residents was very short, at about 4 min. The average duration of utterances by elderly persons who are bedridden was 115.54 s (SD=131.55), which was significantly lower (p<0.05) in comparison to the average duration of utterances by elderly persons who are able to walk or move using a wheelchair, which was 331.1 s (SD=234.97). In type II communication, the utterances by the older resident were not limited to short replies to caregiver speech, but were relatively longer and self-initiated utterances were also produced.