Strategies to Begin a Conversation

What strategies do you use when trying to get your foot in the door with a client and begin a conversation?

• Gaining access to an adult may be difficult: try to meet the adult alone, e.g. Adult Day Centre, doctor’s office

• Consider bringing a colleague so that you can interview the adult alone while the colleague talks to the caregiver to reduce undue influence

• Establishing a trusting relationship takes time, and often several visits

• Shame and fear of retaliation may be barriers to disclosure

• Denial in itself should not end an inquiry; adults often protect family members

• Reassure the adult (e.g. “You are not alone”, “You are not to blame”)

• Begin with general questions then move to more specific ones