Mandated face mask use for health care providers, secondary to COVID-19, creates an additional communication barrier for older adults with cognitive, communication, and/or hearing challenges. Face masks can soften a speaker's voice, conceal vocal tone, and hide facial expressions that relay essential non-verbal information. An inability to understand health care information or words of support can lead to frustration, anxiety, and decreased quality of life. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to review the current research, provide clinical examples, and highlight communication strategies, supports (i.e., written, gestural, and picture supports), and modifications to personal protective equipment that health care providers can implement, in isolation or combined, to improve communication with older adults. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46 (11), 7–11.]

Purpose The purpose of this article is to outline how implementation science can contribute to the advancement of communication sciences and disorders through its impact on both clinical research and clinical practice. Implementation science's pertinent definitions and history are discussed. Then, information is highlighted pertaining to the position of implementation science within the larger realm of clinical practice research. An exemplar study is reviewed to inform clinical researchers in communication sciences and disorders. Conclusion The importance of implementation science is emphasized by outlining ways that speech-language pathologists and audiologists can use implementation science to both inform their clinical practice and contribute to the evidence base of the disciplines.

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The increasing incidence of aging adults with cognitive-communication impairments and demand for services that enhance the quality of life of this population necessitates examination of the evidence-based strategies that hold the most promise in producing desired quality-of-life outcomes. The adoption of person-centered care approaches in health care (Kitwood, 1997) allows for a better understanding of how to include the person with cognitive-communication impairment in the process of identifying communication needs, developing intervention approaches, and modifying strategies as needs change. The continuum of dementia severity and the cognitive-communication characteristics at each stage are outlined as a guide for selecting compensatory communication supports to fit changing needs. Environmental features and the training of caregivers are important components of a person-centered care model that aims to ensure that individuals with dementia are respected and can live fulfilling lives.

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