Communication is an integral part of life and of nurse-patient relationships. Effective communication\nwith patients can improve the quality of care. However, the specific communication needs of older adults can\nrender communication between them and nurses as less effective with negative outcomes.\nMethods: This scoping review aims at describing the type of nonverbal communication used by nurses to\ncommunicate with older adults. It also describes the older adultsâ?? perceptions of nursesâ?? nonverbal communication\nbehaviors. It followed (Int J Soc Res 8: 19-32, 2005) framework. Grey literature and 11 databases were systematically\nsearched for studies published in English and French, using search terms synonymous with nonverbal\ncommunication between nurses and older adults for the period 2000 to 2019.\nResults: The search revealed limited published research addressing nonverbal communication between older\nadults and nurses. The studies eligible for quality assessment were found to be of high quality. Twenty-two studies\nwere included and highlighted haptics, kinesics, proxemics, and vocalics as most frequently used by nurses when\ncommunicating with older adults; while studies showed limited use of artefacts and chronemics. There was no\nmention of nursesâ?? use of silence as a nonverbal communication strategy. Additionally, there were both older\nadultsâ?? positive and negative responses to nursesâ?? nonverbal communication behaviors.\nConclusion: Nurses should be self-aware of their nonverbal communication behaviors with older adults as well as the\nway in which the meanings of the messages might be misinterpreted. In addition, nurses should identify their own\nstyle of nonverbal communication and understand its modification as necessary in accordance with patientâ??s needs.
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