Deceiving appearances. Communicating with facially inexpressive older adults

The term "facially inexpressive" is introduced to describe individuals who have lost the ability to produce facial expressions as a result of a neuromuscular disorder. Difficulties in communication may be compounded by presentation of this condition in individuals of mature appearance because the expectation of diminished functioning may increase. Practical techniques are offered to circumvent inaccurate and potentially detrimental assumptions both practitioners and laypeople tend to make when communicating with older adults whose conditions prevent the normal yield of social cues. A case study is presented and implications for the wider geriatric population are discussed.