How Learning Sign Language With The Elderly Can Help Communication

According to RNID, over 18 million adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or experience tinnitus. The RNID estimates that 80% of people over the age of 70 will have hearing loss.

Despite the Equality Act 2010 requiring public organisations to make their services accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, significant gaps remain. For instance, BBC’s See Hear reports that there is currently only one care home in the UK specifically for Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users, located on the Isle of Wight.

This article will explore how learning sign language alongside elderly individuals can help bridge communication barriers, providing inclusion and support for the growing need for accessible, respectful care in later life.

Understanding British Sign Language (BSL)

British Sign Language (BSL) is a visual means of communication that utilises hand gestures, facial expressions, lip patterns, and body language. It relies heavily on face-to-face interaction, as clear visibility between communicators is essential for practical understanding.

BSL also has its own grammar and structure that are distinct from English. While the English language follows a sentence structure of subject–verb–object, a sign language structure is object–subject–verb. For instance:

English language: I eat sandwiches

BSL: Sandwiches-I-eat

In 2003, the UK government officially recognised BSL as a language in its own right. Today, it’s used by an estimated 150,000 people across the UK, both Deaf individuals and those who communicate with them regularly.

While commonly associated with the Deaf community, BSL is also an effective tool for many individuals with hearing difficulties, especially those who experience hearing loss later in life.

The Benefits of the Elderly Learning Sign Language:

Creates Inclusivity

Many people with hearing or speech impairments face social exclusion due to communication barriers. Learning sign language breaks down these walls, allowing those with and without impairments to interact more easily and provide mutual understanding.

Inclusivity also means empowering the elderly to remain active in diverse community groups. By learning BSL together, elderly individuals are not sidelined in conversations; instead, they are welcomed participants.

Enhances Communication

When elderly individuals, their families and caregivers learn BSL together, misunderstandings are reduced and conversations become less frustrating and stressful. This restores a sense of autonomy and reduces the reliance on hearing aids or speech tools, which can sometimes be ineffective in emergency situations.

Even a basic understanding of signs for daily needs can significantly improve the quality of life, making communication smoother and more dignified for elderly individuals who cope with hearing or speech challenges.

Supports Those with Dementia or Stroke Recovery

Verbal communication can be incredibly difficult for elderly individuals living with dementia or recovering from strokes. Learning sign language offers an alternative neurological pathway for expression, often drawing on muscle memory and visual recognition, even when speech is impaired.

Simple signs can help individuals clearly express their needs and emotions, reducing frustration and confusion while allowing caregivers to understand better and provide care. It can provide stroke survivors and those with dementia a renewed sense of control and connection, improving the overall care experience and providing compassionate interactions so they don’t feel utterly alone during a challenging time in their lives.

Strengthens Family and Caregiving Relationships

When communication is difficult, it can lead to misunderstandings, emotional distance and distress. Learning British sign language together builds trust and creates a shared experience that can deepen connections. It can also encourage family members to gain insight into their loved one’s needs and enable caregivers to provide more empathetic and practical support.

Whether it’s chatting about everyday topics or discussing essential health issues, BSL can help close the gap, allowing elderly individuals to feel heard and respected, thereby reducing their stress and enabling them to live a harmonious life.

BSL Tips for Beginners

Start with the Basics

Begin with simple, everyday signs, such as greetings, emotions, and basic needs like eating, drinking, and using the bathroom. Consider pairing signs with spoken words initially to reinforce understanding. Be consistent, even for a few minutes a day and incorporate games while practising with others to make it fun and engaging.

Use Online Resources and Apps

Consider using a BSL app that features large text and clear visual demonstrations via various tutorials and games. Incorporating technology into the learning process can empower elderly individuals to work independently while encouraging family members and caregivers to stay informed on the same material, thereby enhancing communication.

Seek Face-to-Face Learning

Consider participating in face-to-face British Sign Language (BSL) classes within care homes to help create a responsive care environment where staff and residents with hearing or speech impairments can communicate more effectively, promoting dignity, inclusion, and tailored support. Family members can also attend and practice alongside their loved one in real time.

Immerse in the BSL Community

Get involved in local Deaf clubs, attend BSL-friendly events or participate in online forums. Being part of a supportive environment can significantly increase motivation and confidence. For elderly individuals, this social interaction helps reduce feelings of isolation and fosters a sense of belonging. Immersing oneself in the BSL community turns learning into a vibrant, ongoing journey of connection.