Effective communication with senior citizens: A social work intervention perspective [Komunikasi berkesan dengan warga emas: Dari perspektif intervensi kerja sosial]

Communication is important in maintaining a harmonious relationship among elderly living in institutions,hospitals and care homes. the elderly requires more attention to allow them to feel that they are valued by the community. this article allows social gerontology students to learn effective communication techniques when conducting social work intervention on individuals,groups and communities especially in handling case management among the elderly. this article focuses on interpersonal communication strategies to accelerate smooth handling process of senior citizen case management. interpersonal communication skills is defined as the ability to listen,communicate verbally and non-verbally,as well as writing reports effectively. the main purpose of this article is to discuss interpersonal communication between caregivers and the elderly,guided by literature review on barriers of communication among caregivers,as well as formal and informal approaches to social work intervention. this study shows that communication barriers among the elderly are contributed to age,illness,disability and envorinmental factors. the intervention of social work practice has a positive effect in addressing interpersonal commmunication barriers among formal and informal caregivers with elderly who has multiple problems. the implication of this study suggests for more research on interpersonal communication in malaysia to improve communication skills among formal and informal caregivers. this provides a strong influence in helping to improve wellbeings of the elderly in institutions,hospitals and communities. © 2017,universiti kebangsaan malaysia press. all rights reserved.