7.3 Interviewing Older Adults

Understanding Age and Perception

• Quote on Life's Values: "As you get older, you will start to understand more and more that in life that it’s not about what you look like or what you own, it’s all about the person you’ve become." This emphasizes the shift in focus from superficial aspects to personal development and character.

• Empathy Challenge: Understanding the elderly is not always easy, as interviewers have not experienced their specific life circumstances.

• Video Example: A video titled "57 years apart" highlights generational differences and potentially the value of intergenerational interaction.

Defining 'Old' and 'Middle-Aged'

• Subjectivity of Age: The perception of age, and youth, is relative and not absolute.

• Erikson's Stages: Developmental psychologist Erik Erikson's stages are referenced in defining age categories:

  • Generativity vs. Stagnation: Typically associated with middle adulthood, where individuals focus on contributing to society and guiding the next generation, or experiencing a lack of purpose.

  • Integrity vs. Despair: Associated with late adulthood, where individuals reflect on their life with a sense of fulfillment or regret.

• Age Classifications (General):

  • Middle-aged Adult: Ranging from approximately 35 to 65 years old.

  • Late Adult: Generally considered from 65 years old until death.

• Factors Influencing Perception: Several constraints and considerations influence how age is perceived and experienced:

  • Physical frailties.

  • Loss of mental function.

  • Differences in life experience.

  • The relative nature of age perception itself.

Uses and Advantages of Interviewing Older Adults

• Effectiveness: Interviewing is a more effective method for obtaining data from older people compared to relying on written responses.

• Reasons for Interview Preference:

  • Lack of Familiarity: Many older adults may be unfamiliar with written questionnaires or survey formats.

  • Reading Difficulties: Challenges with eyesight, especially reading small print, can hinder questionnaire completion.

  • Patience for Simplistic Questionnaires: A lack of patience for overly simplistic or repetitive questions often found in standardized questionnaires.

  • Physical Frailty: Difficulties with writing due to conditions like arthritis or tremors.

• Social Benefits: The interaction during an interview can serve as a pleasant social interlude, offering companionship and mental stimulation to the respondent.

Common Problems in Interviewing Older Adults and Coping Strategies

These challenges require specific attention and adaptation from the interviewer to ensure effective and respectful data collection.

Hearing Loss

• Problems:

  • Prevalence: Impaired hearing is very common, even minor difficulties.

  • Hearing Aid Issues: Hearing aids are often not used effectively due to interference from background noise.

  • Admittance Issues: Some individuals may not admit to hearing loss, while others might feign poor hearing to avoid answering questions.

• Coping Strategies:

  • Preliminary Check: Conduct a hearing check before the interview begins.

  • Clear Speech: Speak clearly, separating words rather than letting them run together.

  • Conducive Location: Choose a quiet location where other noises are minimized.

Eyesight

• Problems:

  • Commonality of Glasses: Most older respondents will likely wear glasses.

• Coping Strategies:

  • Pre-Interview Inquiry: Before using any written or pictorial materials, determine if glasses are strictly for close work/reading or if there's more general vision loss.

  • Large Print: Ensure all written materials intended for the respondent are presented in large print.

Language

• Video Example: "100 BFF" video is linked, possibly illustrating communication across different age groups or friendship development over time.

• Problems:

  • Style Differences: The language style of an elderly respondent can differ considerably from a younger interviewer.

  • Hesitancy/Slowness: Physically frail respondents may exhibit hesitancy and slower speech.

• Coping Strategies:

  • Avoid Jargon: Do not use neologisms (new words), colloquialisms (local dialect expressions), or slang (informal vocabulary).

  • Clear Wording: Unless there is evidence of cognitive impairment or significant hearing loss, careful and clear wording is usually sufficient for understanding.

Mobility

• Problems:

  • Slower Pace: Many older individuals are slower in movement.

  • Lack of Mobility: Some may be confined to wheelchairs or beds, particularly in nursing homes.

• Coping Strategies:

  • Comfortable Setting: Ensure the physical interview setting is comfortable for both the interviewer and the respondent.

Use of Equipment

• Video Example: A video discussing equipment use, possibly demonstrating different recording methods.

• Problems:

  • Space for Equipment: Sufficient space is required to handle recording equipment.

• Coping Strategies:

  • Setting Check: Carefully check the physical setting before starting.

  • Respondent Familiarity: Confirm that the respondent is familiar with recording methods if tape or video recording is used.

Privacy

• Problems:

  • Difficulty in Private Locations: In hostels and nursing homes, finding a suitably private location can be challenging.

• Implications:

  • If interviews are conducted with staff coming and going or neighbors listening, it becomes difficult to discuss very personal matters effectively.

Memory Loss

• Problems:

  • Poor Name Recall: Forgetting names is a common issue in the elderly.

  • Distant vs. Recent Recall: They may have better recall of distant past events than more recent ones.

  • Selective Memory: Memory can be selective, with individuals discarding what they do not wish to remember.

Patience

• Coping Strategies:

  • Allocate Time: Plan sufficient time for the interview, avoiding rushes.

  • Avoid Rushing: Do not pressure the respondent.

  • Tolerate Slowness: Be patient with any slowness in responses, speech, or mobility.

Interviewer Best Practices and Professional Conduct

Empathy and Sympathy

• Rapport Building: Respect and politeness are crucial for establishing and maintaining rapport.

• Formal Approach: Employ a more formal approach than with younger individuals, especially regarding the use of the person’s name.

• Avoid Condescension: The elderly do not appreciate condescension (graciously lowering oneself to the level of less important or intelligent people), particularly from younger individuals lacking their experience.

• Empathetic Understanding: Attempts to understand from an empathetic perspective will be valued.

• Reciprocity: Be prepared to reciprocate social demands of the occasion.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Always consider cultural differences in the respect shown for the elderly.

Maintaining Interview Structure

• Challenge: Some respondents may treat the interview as a social occasion, diverting to their own interests instead of answering questions.

• Coping Strategy: Use feedback loops and probing techniques to steer the conversation back on track and adhere to the interview's structure.

Managing Non-verbal Reactions

• Interviewer Discomfort: Inexperienced interviewers may initially feel discomfort, repulsion, or disturbance by the appearance of very old people.

• Professionalism: It is critically important to concentrate on other aspects of the interaction and avoid showing non-verbal reactions that contradict the verbal message aimed at cultivating rapport.

Concluding Thought

• Perspective on Age: "Age is just a number," suggesting that age should not be a barrier or definitive characteristic. A video link is provided which may explore this concept further.