1.1 Identify different reasons people communicate

Communication is central to all human activity, personal life, professional settings, and health and social care. In care settings particularly, understanding why people communicate helps carers, support workers, and professionals provide person-centred, effective care. This answer identifies some reasons people communicate; an explanation for each reason is provided in detail.

1. To Share Information

One of the most significant purposes people communicate for is to impart information — facts, updates, and instructions. In a care setting this could be a carer informing a client about their medication regime or relaying a shift-handover report to fellow colleagues. According to one source, communication is used “to ask questions, to request information, … to give instructions”.

Sharing information means everyone is informed and can act accordingly.

2. To Express Needs, Desires or Preferences

People also communicate because they have needs or wants – perhaps a person in care needs help with eating or has a preference for what they would like for a meal. One listed reason is “to express a need, desire or preference”.

If such communication occurs, the helper may react in a manner that still recognises the person's autonomy while having their wishes heard.

3. To Express Feelings or Emotions

Communication is also used for the expression of emotions – to express how one is feeling: sadness, anxiety, happiness, or frustration. In a care context, communication provides emotional comfort. This is supported by another source: “Emotional comfort: a kind word or an assuring conversation can provide comfort and emotional support to someone in distress or discomfort.”

Sharing emotions allows carers to respond in a manner that is empathetic and supportive.

4. To Build and Maintain Relationships / Socialise

Human beings are social animals, and communication is central to forming and maintaining social relationships — with peers, family, colleagues, and clients. One source lists reasons such as “pleasure, to socialise, to make and maintain relationships”.

In a care home or social care environment, the friendly chat, sharing experiences, or even the small talk often makes clients feel valued and connected rather than isolated.

5. To Guide, Instruct or Direct

Another reason for communication is to direct action — to guide, instruct, and show how something is done. This could include, for instance, a carer explaining how a resident should use a mobility aid or how to follow a hygiene routine. One list of reasons explicitly includes “to give instructions”.

Such communication is crucial to ensure safety, consistency, and clarity in care.

6. To Offer Support, Reassurance, Encouragement

Communication is often used to support others — reassuring them, motivating them, helping them feel secure. For example, when someone is anxious or unwell, a few reassuring words can help calm them. The same source notes communication for “to give support/reassurance”.

In health and social care, the ability to communicate supportively contributes to well-being and builds trust between carer and service user.

7. To Share Ideas, Experiences or Debate

Communication also allows people to share ideas and experiences and to discuss and debate. One source lists “to share ideas, to share experiences, to discuss and debate” among the reasons.

In a care context, this could mean clients sharing their life stories, staff discussing best practice, or group sessions where people exchange experiences that promote understanding and mutual learning.

8. To Persuade, Encourage Change or Influence

Sometimes the purpose of communication is to persuade or motivate someone to do something or to perform a particular action or behaviour recommended by the professional. For example, a health worker may want to encourage a client to exercise or eat more healthily. According to this list, “to encourage/motivate/persuade” is one of the reasons.

This type of communication is important when behaviour change or adherence to care plans is needed.

Conclusion

In sum, people communicate for several different yet overlapping reasons: to impart information, express needs or emotions, build relationships, instruct or guide, support others, exchange ideas, and persuade or motivate. In a health and social care environment in particular, awareness of these helps staff tailor their style of communication, respond appropriately, build trust, reduce misunderstandings, and deliver better care. Understanding the purpose behind the communication is as important as the how.

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