Active Listening = Respect and Engagement in Memory Care
Last week, we explored ways to in-service staff on Residents Rights through the lens of person-centered care rather than simply focusing on regulatory compliance. Under Federal law, nursing homes are required to protect and promote the rights of every resident across seventeen broad categories.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll take a closer look at specific care actions tied to these rights, practices that bring the principles of person-centered care to life during staff training and daily interactions.
Let’s begin with two essential rights:
The right to be treated with respect
The right to participate in activities of choice
Observing Respect in Action: The Role of Active Listening
During your next walk through the memory care neighborhood, take a moment to observe how staff and residents interact. Look for the subtle, yet powerful, evidence of active listening, a skill that forms the cornerstone of respectful communication.
Ask yourself:
Are team members pausing to make eye contact with residents?
Do they meet residents at eye level?
Are their tones calm, patient, and validating?
Do they respond thoughtfully to both verbal and nonverbal cues?
When these skills are present, you can see the essence of respect in motion. Active listening transforms daily care from task-focused routines into meaningful human connection. It allows caregivers to understand and act upon a resident’s needs, feelings, and preferences, even when words may be limited.
Connecting Activities to Identity: Finding the Why
Most Life Enrichment teams conduct interest and pursuit assessments guided by the MDS Section F. These tools provide valuable basic information about what residents enjoy. When we apply active listening, we uncover something deeper: the why behind the interest.
For example, one resident noted on his MDS F0500 that doing things with a group was “somewhat important” to him. Through open-ended questions and patient listening, the Life Enrichment Director learned that he was a veteran who played Poker every Tuesday at the VFW. What he valued most wasn’t the card game itself, it was the camaraderie and conversation that came with it.
By understanding that why, the team reframed his care plan to reflect both his veteran identity and his social needs. The updated plan read:
“Resident is a veteran who enjoys playing cards and socializing with other veterans. He benefits from activities that provide structured conversation and shared experiences.”
This insight also helped staff connect him with other residents who shared similar backgrounds, promoting friendships and a stronger sense of belonging.
The Takeaway
Active listening is more than a communication technique; it’s a way of honoring each resident’s humanity. When we listen carefully and respond actively, we foster trust for individuals living with memory impairment. This is the foundation of respect and engagement in every interaction.
Resources for Inservicing on Active Listening
Here are three excellent resources to help incorporate active listening into staff training sessions:
Verywell Mind – Offers practical guidance and training on active listening techniques.
The Center for Creative Leadership – Provides a free downloadable guide with a one-week active listening skill challenge for leaders and care staff.
Wayne State University – Offers a concise, single-page PDF with four practical tips for becoming a more effective active listener.
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