“It’s Not Just About a Cup of Tea”: Communication Supports in Aged Care 

When someone says or gestures “a cup of tea,” they might mean Earl Grey, with just a little milk – just like always. For people experiencing cognitive-communication changes, these everyday details aren’t small. They’re anchors to self and comforts that aren’t otherwise in their control. Aged care teams see these moments unfold every day – moments where connection is possible, but the tools often fall short. And with growing needs, limited resources and new standards coming into effect, the question becomes: How do we keep communication truly sustainable and person-centred without burning out the workforce? 

Communication Isn’t Lost. It Just Needs the Right Support. 

Many older adults live with dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke, acquired brain injury or intellectual disability. When expressive language, comprehension or memory decline, the impacts aren’t just functional – they’re deeply emotional. People lose not only their words but also their sense of control, clarity and agency. 

What’s often missing in our systems is not care, but the right adjustments that teams can use in a practical sense. The types of tools and strategies that help someone feel safe, seen and understood. 

As one Clinical Nurse Specialist told us after introducing MyComms on their ward: 

“We weren’t guessing anymore. We could see what she wanted to say and that changed everything.” 

Families have noticed the difference too: 

“Mum could finally show us which meal she wanted, instead of just nodding. It gave her voice back.” 

Why Not Always Robust AAC? 

For younger people or those with stable conditions, robust AAC systems can be life changing. But in later life – when cognitive-communication decline and high support needs are common, introducing a complex device may not always be effective. 

Research shows that for people living with progressive conditions like dementia, communication supports need to be simple, flexible and adaptable. The cognitive load of learning and sustaining a robust AAC system can outweigh the benefits. Instead, visual supports, low-tech tools and partner-assisted strategies often have greater impact in preserving agency and dignity (Beukelman & Light, 2020; Wallace et al., 2019; Fried-Oken & Fox, 2015). 

This reflects a broader shift in speech pathology practice, including at Speech Pathology Australia, which is moving towards framing AAC as communication supports – spanning the full range of strategies, tools and approaches that enable people to connect across their lifespan. 

What MyComms Offers 

MyComms is a clinician made mobile-based communication supports platform designed to be practical, respectful and fast. It’s not a replacement AAC system – it’s something different: a tool that supports real-time comprehension and engagement, especially during routines, transitions and everyday choices. 

Using the app, teams and families can: 

It’s designed for dynamic environments – where shift work, documentation and high workloads are a daily reality. 

What Happens in Practice 

When visual supports reflect real life, not generic symbols, the difference is clear: 

For staff, this means: 

These aren’t complex interventions. They’re small shifts with deep impact for residents, families and the workforce. 

What the Research Shows 

Visual supports aren’t just practical – they’re backed by strong evidence across aged care and cognitive-communication research: 

Looking Ahead: The Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards 

With the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards coming into effect on 1 November 2025, the call for inclusive, person-centred care is louder than ever. 

MyComms directly supports the intent of several core standards: 

📄 We’ve attached a one-page summary that maps communication supports, including MyComms, directly to the new Standards. 

Funding Options in Aged Care 

Implementing visual supports doesn’t need to be costly. MyComms is a low-cost assistive technology that can be accessed in multiple ways: 

This flexibility means services can adopt MyComms without major investment, while still ensuring equity of access for residents. 

Meeting People Where They Are 

MyComms wasn’t built in a boardroom – it was built in response to what clinicians, carers and families have been saying for years: 

MyComms helps teams act on those needs. It reduces the guesswork. It supports onboarding. It brings calm into conversations that might otherwise become frustrating. 

Ready to Try It? 

Whether you’re in a residential facility, respite service or home care setting – MyComms offers a low-cost, high-impact way to honour the preferences, agency and lived experience of the people you support. 

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