Sensory, Cognitive and Mental Health Changes in Older Adults: Effects on Communication When Making Group Presentations

Marita Rohr Inglehart Dipl. psych., Dr. phil., Dr. phil. habil.

This presentation focuses on providing information about sensory changes such as changes in vision and hearing, cognitive changes in information processing and memory, and mental health changes, especially changes in depression, in older adults.

This information is used to concretely discuss how group presentations to older adults should be optimally structured.

Course Objectives:

• Describe the types of sensory changes (specifically in vision and hearing) that occur in adults over 65 years of age.
• Utilize the understanding of sensory changes to communicate more effectively with older adults in group settings.
• Understand the cognitive changes in older age groups and how these changes affect the way communication in group settings should occur.
• Describe the mental health changes and how these changes affect older adults’ oral health and their understanding of group presentations.

Course Support Materials:

1. Presentation Slides
2. Vision Impairment and Hearing Loss Among Community-Dwelling Older Americans: Implications for Health and Functioning
3. Effects of ageing on smell and taste
4. Assessment and measurement of pain in older adults
5. Individual Differences in Rates of Change in Cognitive Abilities of Older Persons
6. Depression, Self-Efficacy, and Oral Health: An Exploration