Care of Older Adult
Communication With Older Patients
• Communication can also be hindered by the normal
aging process, which may involve sensory loss, decline
in memory, slower processing of information, lessening
of power and influence over their own lives, retirement
from work, and separation from family and friend
• At a time when older patients have the greatest need
to communicate with the nurses, life and physiologic
changes make it the most difficult.
• unclear communication can cause the whole medical
encounter to fall apart Communication with older
patients
1. Allow extra time for older patients. “older patients
receive less information from health care providers
than younger patients do, when, in fact, they desire
more information from the health care workers.“
• older patients are going to require additional time.
• do not appear rushed or uninterested. Your patients
will sense it and shut down, making effective
communication nearly impossible.
2. Avoid distractions.
• reduce the amount of visual and auditory distractions,
such as other
• people and background noise.
• quality time with them and that they are important.
• It is recommend that if you give your patients your
undivided attention in the first 60 seconds, you can
“create the impression that a meaningful amount of
time was spent with them.”
3. Sit face to face.
• some older patients have vision and hearing loss,
and reading your lips may be crucial for them to
receive the information correctly.
4. Maintain eye contact.
• Eye contact is one of the most direct and powerful
forms of nonverbal communication.
• Maintaining eye contact creates a more positive,
comfortable atmosphere that may result in patients
opening up and provid-ing additional information
5. Listen
• Good communication depends on good listening, so
be conscious of whether you are really listening to
what older patients are telling you.
6. Speak slowly, and clearly
• Don’t rush through your instructions to these patients.
• Speak clearly enough for them to hear you, but do not
shout.
7. Use short, simple words and sentences.
• Do not use medical jargon or technical terms that are
difficult for the layperson to understand.
• make sure you use words that are “familiar and
comfortable” to your patients. Stick to one topic at a
time.
• Information overload can confuse patients.
• instead of providing a long, detailed explanation to a
patient, try putting the information in outline form.
• summarizes the most important points of the visit and
explains what the patient needs to do after he or she
leaves your office.
10. Use charts, models and pictures.
• Visual aids will help patients better under- stand their
condition and treatment.
11. frequently summarize the most important
points.
• As you discuss the most important points with your
patients, ask them to repeat your instructions.
• Be aware that patients require a second or third
repeat, they may become frustrated and disregard the
information altogether.
• rephrase the message, making it shorter and simpler.
12. give patients an opportunity to ask questions
and express themselves.
• This will allow them to express any apprehensions
they might have, and through their questions you will
be able to determine whether they completely
understand
• the information and instructions you have given.
Nursing care tips
1. Schedule older patients earlier in the day.
2. greet them.
3. Seat them in a quiet, comfortable area.
4. Make things easy to read.
5. Be ready to physically escort patients.
6. Check on them from time to time.
7. keep the patient relaxed and focused.
8. Say goodbye.
Geriatric Health Care Team
A. Gerontologist/Geriatrician
• Geriatricians
• fully trained physicians, M.D.s, who specialize in
treating the health problems of elderly patients.
DONAIRE, COA
• Gerontologist
• scientific study of aging, as well as its effect on
individuals and cultures.
• play a more supportive and educational role, though
applied gerontologists might build long-term
relationships with their clients that include coordinating
diet, exercise and cognitive therapies.
Nurse Gerontologist
• is a nursing specialist who works directly with older
adults to provide them with specialized care and a high
quality of life.
Occupational Therapist
• treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or
disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday
activities.
• facilitate optimal occupational performance and
community participation across the full spectrum of
ability, from healthy adults actively engaged in their
communities to those who are coping with serious
physical and mental health conditions in more
supported environments like assisted living facilities
and nursing homes”
• helps people across the lifespan to do the things they
want and need to do through the therapeutic use of
daily activities (occupations). Occupational therapy
practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its
fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—
or live better with—injury, illness, or disability.
Speech Therapist
• Speech therapist can help seniors to communicate
more effectively and enjoy a better quality of life.
• help seniors to re-learn how to speak, and will also
provide vocal exercises to further facilitate this.
• help seniors improve chewing and swallowing, which
can also help to reduce the risk of choking.
• dementia, speech therapy can help by addressing the
cognitive aspects of communication, including
attention, memory, and problem solving.
Case manager
• usually a licensed nurse or social worker who
specializes in geriatrics, is a sort of "professional
relative" who can help you and your family to identify
needs and find ways to meet your needs.
• Geriatric care managers can be especially helpful
when family members live far apart.
• Discuss difficult topics and complex issues
• Make home visits and suggest needed services
• Address emotional concerns
• Make short- and long-term plans
• Evaluate in-home care needs
• Select care personnel
• Coordinate medical services
• Evaluate other living arrangements
• Provide caregiver stress relief
LEGAL MANDATES FOR THE ELDERLY Republic
Act 7432
• AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF
SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT
BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
• As used in this Act, the term “senior citizen” shall
mean any resident of the Philippines at least sixty (60)
years old, including those who have retired from both
government offices and private enterprises, Privileges
for the Senior Citizens.
• The grant of twenty percent (20%) discount from all
establishments relative to utilization of transportation
services, hotels and similar lodging establishment,
restaurants and recreation centers and purchase of
medicines anywhere in the country: Provided, That
private establishments may claim the cost as tax credit;
• A minimum of twenty percent (20%) discount on
admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses
and concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar
places of culture, leisure, and amusements;
• Exemption from the payment of individual income
taxes: Provided, That their annual taxable income does
not exceed the poverty level as determined by the
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
for that year;
• Free medical and dental services in government
establishment anywhere in the country, subject to
guidelines to be issued by the Department of Health,
the Government Service Insurance System and the
Social Security System; Breathing Technique
• Breathing exercise can easily take away the tension
in your body and brain in just few seconds.
1. Inhale very deeply (huge and noisy breathing
through your nose)
2. Hold your breath to a slowly count of five.
3. Blow the air out, very slowly though the mouth
• the practice of “mindfulness,” the ability to pay careful
attention to what you're thinking, feeling, and sensing
in the present moment without judging those thoughts
and feelings as good or bad.
• Mindfulness gives people distance from their
thoughts and feelings, which can help them tolerate
and work through unpleasant feelings rather than
becoming overwhelmed by them
DONAIRE, COA