How can you adjust your public speaking style for senior citizens?

I have a dear friend and long time mentor, who now lives in an independent living home for Seniors. She started a church in the facility with rotating ministers from the community coming on Sunday afternoons. She communicates to the ministers ahead of time some of the specific demographics of their group such as their ages, and their cognitive ability to understand things. And then, at the beginning of the service, one of the volunteers shares prayer concerns, and that gives the minister an idea of what they’re dealing with as well. I appreciate how the teachers customize their message to this group in their unique season of life in a way that is honoring and bringing them hope.

what an absolutely fascinating question to be asked to contribute to - know your audience is critical to any public speaking regardless of age. I think cultural references are important for that generation but storytelling is storytelling and that would work irrespective of the audience; the main issues i would think about is accessibility and volume, speed of delivery is also important. However, I really don't think i would change much other than making sure the types of stories to illustrate the speech have meaningful references and that I think of accessibility but otherwise a good speech is a good speech and needs to be memorable

I have found working with clients 50years of age and older that asking a lot of questions about past experiences with real estate and brokers, housing, moves, life planning, and places they have lived sets the stage for a successful meeting. Each person has something to share about their lives and this helps guide the conversation. Building a relationship with folks who have a diverse background & LIFE experience means asking questions, offering appropriate information, and responding to their specific needs and challenges. Honoring what people know is the best way to gain a new friend!

Remember that a senior citizen is going to perceive things a little bit differently from your regular audience. You can expect them to have various challenges, like, perhaps, not being able to hear you clearly. And definitely don't expect them to read small print off your slides. This is true for regular audiences, but especially for an older audience. But while you're keeping an eye out for all these, don't OVER-compensate. There is a danger of sounding condescending. Make sure your speech is loud and clear - but do not shout. Large clear print should still look aesthetic on your slides. And as far as ideas go, while you should be watching for understanding, beware of over-explaining if someone seems a little confused.

It involves understanding and respecting their unique perspectives and communication preferences in this manner: Clear Considerate Communication: Use simple, clear language and speak at a moderate pace. Avoid jargon and ensure your speech is easily understandable, respecting their experience and knowledge. Engage Through Value Content: Incorporate stories or examples they can relate to, and focus on the value and benefits your message brings to them. Adapt to Their Sensory Needs: Be mindful of the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic needs of your audience. Use larger visuals if needed, ensure clear audibility, and engage them with gestures or demonstrations that resonate with their experiences. Thus fostering trust and rapport with them.

Keep it simple but do not talk down to your audience and that the topic for the speech is relevant to their current interests.

Differentiate between age groups, e.g., 60-year-olds and 80-year-olds. Less is more in the presentation; concise, clear statements are effective. Use practical examples, involve the audience, and incorporate images/videos. My nursing background helps with appropriate communication. At the end: Recap the 3 key points

I have understood with time that when speaking to any age group, you must first due a little research to get to know your audience. My experience is in the age group of 80 to 100. I have used famous people, music, popular events and anecdotes of my own to reach across and find common ground.

A velocidade da fala é muito importante nesse sentido. Uma boa oratória n?o é rápida demais a ponto de ser incompreensível e nem lenta demais a ponto de ser monótona. O ponto chave para atingir esse equilíbrio é treinar as técnicas de dic??o, de ritmo e de respira??o.

I believe that a senior audience also relates to experiential examples. Relate to them via shared experiences with your own parents. This allows them to see how what you are speaking about fits into the situation they are currently navigating or will soon be. Make them know they are not alone.

Completely agree with avoiding preconceived stereotypes, patronizing, or using other forms of elder speak, which can be offensive to older adults and jeopardize rapport and trust. As a physician specializing in Geriatrics, the approach I’ve found to work best is to employ the same techniques you would when speaking to any other demographic and ensuring that any hearing impairments are addressed. Speaking clearly and at a reasonable speed is also very important. It’s important to gather feedback, check in by asking for a simple teach back moment. If there seems to be a disconnect, adjust your communication style and provide clarification as needed through engagement.

Engaging your audience, especially senior citizens is critical. In my experience with doing charity work and speaking to the elderly, I always make it playful enough to engage them. Bear in mind, the elderly in care also tend to doze off easily, if you are just speaking with no engagement, you will lose them. Pick an appropriate time, like mornings versus late after lunch when they tend to get tired. Most importantly, make sure they get your message.

I’ll agree with what others have said, engaging with the senior citizen population is crucial when speaking with them. I’m a Death Doula and I frequently do professional speaking regarding the subject. I try to learn the names of some of the people in the crowd to help engage with them. It’s important to speak clear and concise and get the point across sooner rather than later as attention spans can begin to wander (true with all ages, not just seniors). I also try to be sure that I look my most professional, as the senior citizen population appreciates and respects professionalism.

Found helpful to use a basic opening dialogue that includes we can all remember when xxxx etc found that creates a basic bond with the audience

Passion for what you are sharing is palpable with any audience, but I find older adults appreciate it. It allows them the space to feel free to ask you any question and feel comfortable that you will answer it with dignity and respect. Passion is important but that passion needs to be back up with useful knowledge as well. All audiences appreciate simplicity, but I find folks get frustrated easily when the solution is too complex.

Audio is so important! Make sure everyone can hear and check in often. Ask the audience if everyone can hear you and if you see someone cupping their ears SPEAK UP. Also slow down your cadence. Let the words land. I once saw a bingo reader almost start a riot by going too fast:)

Caption all videos with clear, clean, large, adequately-contrastive text. If the video does not have a border to allow 2-3 lines of text below the frame, it is best to add a partially-transparent background to allow readability. Take care to use mixed case, with appropriate punctuation.

If you use visuals, make sure to leave them longer on the screen than a business audience. For senior citizens, the screen may seem busy to start with. Or even better, only use big pictures and no words on the slides.

It’s important that all visuals have clear and concise message and are able to be viewed in larger context formats also much better to use black and white print versus colors that can cause confusion

Good point on adapting, don't walk in there thinking you will just give a talk and leave. Get there early, connect with your audience, show them you really care and after your talk, stay longer for questions, they value your time. My family and I did a Spitbraai at an old age over Christmas, somehow the TV broadcaster found their way there. One of the elderly had longed to see her son who does not visit over festive periods. During the interview, I encouraged children to fetch their parents and spend time with them, just don't ship them away and forget about them. A week later, her son came and took her away to his home. I know, a little of topic but the point is adapt to situations like this, make the elderly feel loved.

It is good to have some "specials" in your back pocket. Have some stories, some jokes, and don't forget to leverage yourself. If you are young: tell about your heroes (e.g. Taylor Swift) and compare them to their heroes (e.g. Tina Turner). If you are old: then it is very easy. Bring back those childhood memories!

In my experience “connecting” with this target audience is very important. Remember they are the generation that experienced/remember the fireside chats of FDR. Bring them into your living room or at least make them feel like that. Always leave time for one on one questions even after your Q&A portion of the presentation, lots of older men, specifically, may be more comfortable not asking for help in the larger group.

When speaking to the elderly, consider their longing for their own children, adapt your speech like you would speak to your own parents, they will appreciate this more.

Have fun and show respect, when speaking to senior citizens! Think about how you want to be treated in the future. Treat them likewise.

Similar to Kiemthin Tjong Tjin Joe’s point above, honor your audience’s intelligence and don’t make assumptions about anyone’s abilities! Older adults are teeming with wisdom, so regardless of how you might adjust your public speaking style for this demographic, always exhibit humility and patience.

When writing an article for those we serve I suggest 6th or 7th grade level. For public speaking, 3rd grade level. These two also for any charts/graphs. Nothing communicates or miscommunicates like charts/graphs. And don’t use red, least identifiable color for printed signs/posters. This isn’t meant as insult to audience. This is from speaking for years to patients in formal and informal settings. If possible have time for teachback. Not always possible but helpful.

I am a Death Doula with a history in Nursing Education. So I have a passion for educating. When teaching nurses, you have to be able to prove that the staff actually took in the knowledge that was provided. The best way to show if the knowledge was absorbed is to ask questions to see if they remember. Sometimes I try to do this in my speeches to see how much of the crowd is actually soaking in the knowledge.