Interviewing the Elderly
When interviewing elderly subjects to see if they have ever been crime victims, certain special techniques are required. As suggested by Reid & Associates (2008), because elderly people as a group may be subject to varying degrees of a range of age-related deterioration of faculties, your first task as an interviewer is to assess the subject’s age-related impairment of faculties, particularly the person’s memory function and senses in general.
If the person interviewed says they have recently been victim of a crime, it is clear that assessing their eyesight and hearing is important. On the other hand, it would be wrong to begin the interview expecting the subject to have some impairment, e.g. by speaking loudly and so on. It is best to simply be aware of potential problems in that respect and adjust the interviewing technique accordingly if needed.
Observe the subject carefully. Are they wearing spectacles with strong lenses, are they using a hearing aid? If either is true, and they had been a crime victim, check whether they were wearing those aids at the time. Note whether the subject tends to turn their head to one side to better hear your questions. That may indicate partial deafness in one ear. If the person does have a hearing problem it is better not to shout, but to use normal volume of speech and to speak slower and clearer, plus to use normal vocabulary and so on. Maintain direct eye contact to help the subject follow your conversation with them. Tactful questions regarding their eyesight and/or hearing are perfectly acceptable. Make sure that your breath is fresh and that you don’t reek of tobacco, for example. A person with eyesight or hearing problems may have in compensation a heightened sense of smell.
If the subject’s memory is impaired, it is important that they are relaxed. Try to gain their trust and take things slowly. If necessary, return to a question later if recall seems to be a problem. If you feel they might remember later, conclude the interview by inviting the subject to call you if anything comes to mind afterwards.
References
Reid, J., E. & Associates. (April, 2008). Interviewing elderly subjects. Retrieved from http://www.policeone.com/police-products/investigation/articles/1688448-Interviewing-elderly-subjects/
