When you are leaving a telephone message for a senior, remember to speak “slowly and distinctly” (those are actually words from my 88 year old mother’s answering machine). Those who have trouble hearing might need you to say your name and phone number slowly at the beginning of the message and then, after you have left a message, repeat your name and number again.
Recently, I had to listen to a message at least 6 times from a client before I fully understood the name and the number they left for a return call. This could have been a confirmation for a surgery or medical appointment – so go slow when leaving messages.
Actually, this isn’t bad advice for all of us in message leaving. But, it is especially challenging for seniors who can’t hear well and then become anxious over the inability to hear instructions, names, or a call back number.