You Are at the Home of a 92-Year-Old Male Patient

You are at the home of a 92-year-old male patient. He is alert and oriented and in good spirits and, although mildly hearing impaired, can hear you if you speak clearly and face him as you speak. He has no teeth and is not wearing dentures. His speech is indistinct and difficult to understand. Which of the following is the best course of action?

A) See if he can write down what he wants to say. His speech may be impaired from a stroke rather than a lack of dentition.
B) Tell him to respond to your questions with simple hand gestures.
C) Ask him to put in his dentures if he has them. Locate them for him if necessary.
D) Ask a family member to "translate," because the family is probably able to understand him better.