Communicating Treatment Plans to the Older Adult Gabriel Rios, MLIS Health Literacy Consultant

FEDERAL INTERAGENCY FORUM ON AGE-RELATED STATISTICS, 2008 Older adults are the fastest growing segment of the population in the United States. Projections forecast that by 2030, 20% of the U.S. population will be age 65 or older. FEDERAL INTERAGENCY FORUM ON AGE-RELATED STATISTICS, 2008

Learning Objectives Review the aging process and its effects on learning Discuss barriers to teaching the older adult Review strategies for teaching the older adult Discuss communicating treatment plans and self care goals Practice communicating treatment plans and self care goals

Review the aging process and its effects on learning

IMAGE: MEDICALDAILY.COM The Aging Process Unique Multi-dimensional Genetic Environmental Cultural Aging is a process that occurs in a unique manner with each individual. It is a multi-dimensional process in which the individual’s functional and health status are influenced by a variety of genetic, environmental, and cultural factors. These factors, in turn, can result in physical, psychological, and social changes.As health professionals, what are your beliefs and attitudes about being teaching/educating older adult patients? What are some common myths about elderly patients as learners? – some are senile, resistant to change, unproductive – these foster a stereotype. IMAGE: MEDICALDAILY.COM

Effects of the Aging Process Physical Psychological Cognitive Social & Cultural IMAGE: REDD.BCMD.ORG Ohio State University College of Medicine

IMAGE: LASVEGASYMCA.ORG Effects - Physical Subject to genetic and environmental factors Degenerative sensory changes Vision Hearing Touch Reaction times Spatial orientation Mobility IMAGE: LASVEGASYMCA.ORG

Effects - Psychological Psychological aspects of aging are related to the person’s ability to adapt Mood Self-concept Personality Losses Former role Spouse, family, friends, etc. Economic security Familiar surroundings Psychological aspects of aging are related to the person’s ability to adaptThe psychological aspect of aging is related to the person’s capacity to adapt. Mood, Attitude, self-concept, and personality may all be affected. Losses in old age are many. There may be loss of former roles and status; loss of spouse, family and friends; a decline in economic security; and loss of familiar surroundings. These changes may result in poor self-esteem, depression, and a lack of self-satisfaction. It is extremely important to assess each elderly person in light of losses they may be experiencing, the effect upon him or her, and their ability to cope with these losses. Loss of self-esteem does not negate the ability or readiness of the individual to learn. However, strengthening a person’s self-esteem by highlighting accomplishments and abilities is an important way to enhance a person’s readiness to learn. Safety and security needs are of primary concern for the elderly in a crisis. Unless these needs are met, the older person cannot attend to health teaching. IMAGE: TOPNEWS.NET.NZ

Effects - Cognitive Perception Memory Thinking Learning Problem solving IMAGE: CDC.GOV