This assignment addresses the barriers and methods of communicating effectively with confused people by reflecting on my experience communicating with a confused elderly patient. More specifically, and as part of this mission, I am considering two methods of effective communication with confused elderly patients; one verbal (orientation towards reality) and one non-verbal (touch). During my first placement, I was asked to assist in the care of Elsie (pseudonym), an 86-year-old lady admitted to hospital with a broken hip and a urinary problem. respiratory tract infection (UTI). Elsie suffered from frequent periodic episodes of confusion; however, this was not due to a diagnosed cognitive disorder. Manos and Braun (2006) and Keenan (2011a) state that elderly patients with a bone fracture or urinary tract infection often present with confusion; which is a disorder of brain function (Manos and Braun, 2006). Older adults are more prone to confusion when ill because, with age, kidney size and renal blood flow decrease, leading to a reduced renal threshold (Keenan, 2011b). When Elsie was in a confused state, I had difficulty interpreting what Elsie was trying to communicate with me because her answers to my questions made no sense. When communicating with Elsie, I consciously used the SOLER (Sit square-on, Open posture, Lean forward, Eye contact, Relax) active listening model (Egan, 2010) that I had learned at university . I used this to show Elsie that I was listening and to help me try to understand what Elsie was communicating. I felt frustrated because even though I used SOLER, slowed down my normal pace of communication, and repeated what I was saying, Elsie's responses still didn't make sense. The National Health Service (NHS, 2...... middle of paper ...... I feel uncomfortable with a patient's personal space, so I should use a calm, reassuring voice using touch. I find it comforting to know that Oliver and Redfern (1991) say that the use of touch is a skill that can be acquired and learned. Reflecting on my experience communicating with Elsie, I learned two communication techniques (l. 'reality orientation and the use of touch) that will help me communicate more effectively with a confused elderly patient I realized that I needed to learn more about the use of expressive touch in communication and how to use it. other verbal and non-verbal techniques that can help communicate with confused elderly patients, such as the effective use of touch paralinguistic communication This will give me greater confidence in communicating with confused elderly patients, as I will have. additional strategies to bring to the situation..