WORKING WITH YOUR OLDER PATIENT: A CLINICIAN'S HANDBOOK

Course overview

This course introduces health care professionals and physicians to communication skills essential in caring for older patients and their families. It was developed by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It describes and explains issues pertinent to older patients. It offers practical techniques and approaches to help with diagnosis, promote treatment adherence, make more efficient use of clinicians' time, and increase patient and provider satisfaction. This information is particularly important because stereotypes about aging and old age lead patients and clinicians alike to dismiss or minimize problems as an inevitable part of aging. Just getting old does not cause illness. Being old does not mean having to live with pain and discomfort. Clinicians may, without realizing it, allow stereotypes about aging to creep into everyday practice. This comprehensive publication reviews effective ways to interact with older patients, particularly with those facing multiple illnesses, hearing and vision impairments, or cognitive problems. It also details how to approach sensitive topics such as driving privileges or assisted living. Special communication strategies that can help older patients who are experiencing confusion or memory are also covered. Learning Objectives: Specifically, the participant will: Recognize techniques that compensate for hearing loss, vision loss and increase effectiveness in communication with the older patient. Identify effective strategies for discussing sensitive subjects and working with culturally diverse older patients. Identify effective treatment approaches for encouraging treatment compliance and including family and caregivers of older patients. visit us on the web at ce-classes.com