Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Nov 1;46(11):7-11.
doi: 10.3928/00989134-20201012-02.

Optimizing Effective Communication While Wearing a Mask During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Optimizing Effective Communication While Wearing a Mask During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Kelly Knollman-Porter et al. J Gerontol Nurs. .

Abstract

Mandated face mask use for health care providers, secondary to COVID-19, creates an additional communication barrier for older adults with cognitive, communication, and/or hearing challenges. Face masks can soften a speaker's voice, conceal vocal tone, and hide facial expressions that relay essential non-verbal information. An inability to understand health care information or words of support can lead to frustration, anxiety, and decreased quality of life. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to review the current research, provide clinical examples, and highlight communication strategies, supports (i.e., written, gestural, and picture supports), and modifications to personal protective equipment that health care providers can implement, in isolation or combined, to improve communication with older adults. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46(11), 7-11.].

PubMed Disclaimer

LinkOut - more resources