Best Practices for Effective Communication with Elderly Patients
Understanding the challenges of elderly care is crucial for healthcare providers, who often find it challenging to effectively communicate with older patients.
Developing strategies to overcome these obstacles is essential for providing the best possible care.
Effective communication can lead to better health outcomes, reduce errors and misunderstandings, and a stronger provider-patient relationship.
- Patience is Key
Allot an adequate amount of time for an office visit or conversation with the patient. Older adults may require more time to express their concerns, ask questions, and understand explanations.
Allow enough time to process information and articulate their thoughts without feeling hurried.
- Understand and Address Geriatric Syndromes
Aging patients may experience both physical and cognitive functions changes, such as a decline in hearing, vision, and cognitive processing speed.
Using assistive devices and tailoring communication strategies to these conditions can enhance understanding and collaboration in care.
For example, when talking to the patient, interact face to face so individuals with hearing impairments are able to read lips and recognize facial expressions. Try not to face a computer screen or turn away from them.
- Employ Clear and Simple Language
Healthcare information can be complex, and using simple, familiar words helps to prevent misunderstandings.
Plain language spoken at a steady pace is particularly beneficial for older patients who may be less familiar with medical terminology or may face cognitive challenges.
Consider breaking instructions or explanations into manageable, easily understandable fragments.
- Exercise Active Listening
Taking the time to listen actively to elderly patients without interruptions conveys respect and allows them to fully express their concerns.
To dedicate full attention to elderly patients, maintaining eye contact, and expressing genuine interest in their concerns.
- Recognize Non-Verbal Cues
Non-verbal communication utilizing facial expressions and body language can play a significant role in conveying empathy and understanding.
Be mindful of non-verbal cues, ensuring they convey a supportive and reassuring aura. A simple smile or comforting touch can significantly enrich the communicative experience.
- Involve Family Members or Caregivers
For some elderly patients, involving family members or caregivers in the communication process is essential.
These individuals can provide support and ensure that the patient’s wishes are respected, especially in cases where there are cognitive impairments .
- Ensure Understanding
After explaining treatment plans or instructions, verify that the patient has understood. This can be done by using the "teach-back" method, where patients are asked to repeat information in their own words.
Also ask for feedback to assess their comfort levels about implementing the treatment plan and create a judgment-free space for questions.
Studies show that practitioners are largely unaware of the health literacy status of older patients, so taking the time to follow-up regarding their understanding can help you personalize your care and refine your communication strategies.
- Harnessing Technology to Enhance Communication
If the patient must use technology as part of their care, ensure that you or a team member takes the time to ensure they understand how to navigate the tools you have provided.
This may involve walking them through platforms and processes in person before they are to implement the tools.
Provide a direct phone number they can call for assistance with the technology. If you are anticipating the use of technology with older patients, opt for options with simpler, easy to use interfaces to minimize barriers.
Quadrant Health is a comprehensive chronic care management platform designed to address and mediate care gaps among elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions.
It allows practices to perform automatic check-ins seamlessly to a patient's SMS text messaging.
Learn more about how Quadrant Health can help improve care for older patients here. Request a demo here.