Abstract
This research was designed to examine how pastoral communication can be
enhanced with confused elderly people. The model under-pinning this research is one
which acknowledges the dynamic inter-relationship between theory and practice. It
brings theoretical understanding from practical theology, pastoral care and speech
and language therapy to bear on the experience of offering pastoral care to the
confused elderly individual.
The relating of theory and practice in this way demanded that a variety of
methods be used in the gathering and interpretation of data. The triangulation of
qualitative and quantitative methods fosters a more complete description and
understanding of practice.
The research design was of five inter-related stages. These stages take the
form of literature review, structured interviews with speech therapists, structured
interviews with people involved with the care of confused elderly people, a postal
questionnaire sent to pastors, and in-depth interviews with 11 of the respondents to
the questionnaire.