What can I do about the language barrier at my Mom's nursing home?

TooYoung, I never heard Allfor state that she "expects" the entire staff to speak 8 different languages to accommodate her mom. and your statement "I won't even get into why your mother doesn't speak enough English to be able to communicate with nursing staff, but that's another story" seems a little harsh. I have never seen a post on here questioning "how" a parent got to be in the various situations discussed on this forum. you also accused her mother of "refusing to learn English." I don't think you know enough about the situation to make blanket statements like this. Please remember that the primary language in America is English but it's not the official one. Also if you read her post again she said that her mother's first language is NOT Spanish. Allfor, there are phone/video interpreters that are available with just a phone call. Two of the companies are AT&T Language Line and Pacific Interpreters. They contract with interpreters all over who speak different languages, not just Spanish. Good luck to you and I would love to hear how it is going. Hugs!

Nana came to the US at age 20, and her American (sorry but it's not English) was very good until her stroke at 93. She reverted back to Italian, and she even had trouble with that. By 96 she gave up trying to find words. Be patient will ALL of the elders, language is evolving daily. I still can't speak or read fluent internet texts.

Allformymom - what is your mother's first language please? and what other languages can she communicate in? thank you. everyone else please understand this is not the case of a Spanish speaking person "not able, etc etc." to learn the language. Please listen to her. thanks!!!!

ReneaP1960 - "While I agree this is American and our language is English, Residents who have dementia often go back to the native tongue. And we as the Carers are going to have to work on a way to communicate with them. Requiring all languages be spoken is a bit much and will prove difficult." No. Federal law requirers that her mother be connected with an interpreter. also, remember that America has no official language.