• Society
  • Foundation
    • (866) 928-1635
    • Contact
    • Donate
    • About
    • Locations
    Good Samaritan Society
    • Home
    • Services
      • Home Health Care
      • Rehab/skilled care
      • Senior living
    • Resources
      • Advocacy
      • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
      • Faith
      • Family caregivers
      • Finances
      • Health
      • Memory care
      • Relationships
      • Senior care & services
    • Our stories
    • Careers
  • Society
  • Foundation
  • Good Samaritan Society
    • Call
    • Toggle Nav Toggle Nav Toggle Nav Menu
    Good Samaritan Society
    • Home
      • Services
      • Home Health Care
      • Rehab/skilled care
      • Senior living
      • Resources
      • Advocacy
      • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
      • Faith
      • Family caregivers
      • Finances
      • Health
      • Memory care
      • Relationships
      • Senior care & services
      • Our stories
      • Careers
      • About
      • Newsroom
      • History
      • Spiritual well-being
      • Leadership
      • Volunteer
      • Project Outreach
      • Physicians
      • Annual report
      • Pharmacy services
      • Newsletter
    • Locations
    • (866) 928-1635
    • Contact
    • Donate
    • Advocacy
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Faith
    • Family caregivers
    • Finances
    • Health
    • Memory care
    • Relationships
    • Senior care & services
    Resources
    • Home
    • Resources
    • 5 ways to be a better listener

    Get email updates

    E-News

    Learn more about the Good Samaritan Society.

    Resources

    • Advocacy
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Faith
    • Family caregivers
    • Finances
    • Health
    • Memory care
    • Relationships
    • Senior care & services

    Popular Keywords

    • volunteering
    • support
    • senior housing
    • retirement
    • rehab therapy
    • prayer
    • motivational
    • mental health
    • loneliness
    • home care
    • guideposts
    • family
    • employee
    • devotional
    • dementia
    • conversations
    • caregiver
    • Impact stories
    • COVID-19
    • Alzheimers

    5 ways to be a better listener

    Join discussion Share
    • Category: Relationships
    • Keywords:
      • loneliness
      • isolation
      • volunteering
      • guideposts
    • Comments: 0
    • Posted: 7/18/2019

    Research shows that social isolation takes a toll on health, well-being and quality of life, especially as we get older. That’s why the Good Samaritan Society developed Kin Ministry, an innovative program that coordinates in-person, phone and video-chat connections between isolated seniors and volunteers from their faith community.

    Even though “technology can be an important part of the solution for loneliness,” says Denice Dengler, Kin Ministry’s manager, “people still want and need human connection.” Active listening is the key, according to Denice and Barb Schwery, executive director of BeFriender Ministry, which trains the volunteers.

    Here are their tips for becoming a better, more active listener:

    Do some self-reflection

    We each have our own communication style, Barb says. How have your life experiences shaped how you listen and communicate? What were things like in your family growing up? What is your role in life now? Also, consider how day-to-day occurrences affect your interactions. If someone cuts you off in traffic, say, how might that affect your conversations with colleagues later that day?

    Meet the other person where they are

    “If you visit someone who’s grieving, for example, they might not want to talk about it at first,” Barb says. “Maybe they want to talk about gardening instead. Letting them lead the conversation builds trust.” They’ll talk about what’s really on their minds when they’re ready to.

    Respond with understanding

    In conversations, “people typically think, ‘What do I need to say next?’ rather than ‘How do I make sure I understood?’” Barb says. To better understand someone’s story from their perspective, restate what you think you heard. For example, “Sounds like you really miss your daughter.”

    Think caring, not curing

    You’re not there to teach or give advice. “Just be a listening presence,” Denice says. Remind yourself, “I don’t have to have all the answers. It’s not up to me to fix this. I’m going in to learn.” Asking open-ended questions gives the other person the opportunity to choose how to respond.

    Be nonjudgmental

    It’s healing to talk about your experiences, thoughts and feelings without being judged or criticized. Provide a safe space for someone to do that. “Listen in the way you would like to be listened to,” Barb says.

    We've created a library of stories about loneliness and ways to cope.

    Read more
    • Share

    Related articles

    • The best gift of all: Being there
    • Therapy horse unlocks memories [video]
    • The power in acceptance The power in acceptance

    Comments

    The help you need, when and where you need it.

    Finding care Find a location
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram

    CareersDonatePay bill

    Contact us

    National Campus
    4800 W 57th St
    Sioux Falls, SD 57108

    Phone
    (866) 928-1635

    Email
    Contact

    Good Samaritan Society ®

    National Campus
    4800 W 57th St
    Sioux Falls, SD 57108

    Phone
    (866) 928-1635

    • Privacy and Terms
    • Links
    • Physicians
    • Pharmacists
    • Citrix login
    • Referral partners
    • Employees
    • Pay bill

    The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society (the Society) and Owner comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, familial status, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status or other protected statuses except as permitted by applicable law, in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities, and in staff and employee assignments to individuals, whether carried out by the Society directly or through a contractor or any other entity with which the Society arranges to carry out its programs and activities. The designated person responsible for coordinating efforts to comply with Section 504 requirements is: Director of Affordable Housing, Property Management, 4800 W. 57th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108; phone: (605) 362-3100. For telecommunications relay service dial 711. All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

    The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation), genetic information, age, marital or familial status, disability, veteran status, or other protected status. The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is a 501(c)(3) public charity.

    Notice of Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Requirements

    © 2021 The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. All rights reserved.

    Equal Housing Opportunity