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Abstract
The author examined the storytelling patterns of older adults in order to understand the complexities of this type of communication. Through in-depth analysis of 28 audiotaped language samples, field notes, and interviews with family members and other related professionals, specific configurations of storytelling surfaced and a grounded theory of this style of communication within everyday conversation emerged. Study outcomes include identification of three different ways of telling stories (individual monologue, contributed group stories, and evolving theme repeated stories), some consistent structures (introductory and summation phrases), and a predominant reference to both past and present within the stories. The stories were also found to serve the purpose of transmitting cultural values within three subcategories: usefulness, connections, and philosophy. The data reveal important insights into the sophisticated manner by which information is transmitted through the stories of older adults. These insights may be used to enhance the design of augmentative and alternative communication systems for older adults who have temporarily or permanently lost their ability to interact verbally.
