End-of-life communication is very important but physicians may not be as comfortable with
this discussion, even though the senior client may not be upset by addressing end-of-life care issues. It is important that clients’ views be clearly communicated and recorded before an unexpected crisis develops. Clear thinking is more likely when a patient is relatively healthy and not suffering from anxiety.

Unfortunately, this type of communication is the exception rather than the rule. Among older
respondents, 87% thought CPR should be discussed routinely with health professionals, but
only 3 % had engaged in such discussions. Interestingly, videos may be more persuasive than
words. When it comes to making advance care decisions, older persons who view a video rather
than hearing a verbal description are more likely to choose comfort care over life-extending
treatment.

How can bringing a companion with you to your doctor enhance your visit?

A majority of physicians, and even higher percentage of patients, found the arrangement to
be helpful. Bringing a client companion, when visiting a doctor, is beneficial, although some are reluctant to do so. A client’s companion can provide a vital service to both the health professional and the client, serving as an independent monitor of a person’s condition and providing helpful feedback on client’s collaboration with treatment regimens. A companion can make sure that questions are asked and answers are understood.

What are some of the barriers between health professionals and clients?

The satisfaction of older clients is positively associated with the length of their visits with physicians’ and with physicians’ support of topics initiated by the clients. Researchers have found that doctors seem reluctant to discuss psychosocial and prevention with older clients and are less receptive to these issues when raised by older clients than when raised by younger ones.

Physicians give older clients considerably less cardiac risk reduction advice regarding diet, exercise, weight control, smoking, stress management and work than they give younger clients. Thus older clients are systematically denied the opportunity to lessen their risk of future heart problems by adopting the behavioral advice of the physician.

What is Jargon and Elderspeak?

How many of you have said; “Stop talking to me like I’m a baby?” Continue reading, you might
be surprised what you’re about to find out!

Jargon is language- often technical or obscure-used by people who work in a particular profession or area of interest. The reason health providers continue to use incomprehensible language may be habit; the belief that comprehension of a medical problem might increase the client’s stress level; the fact that hard-to-understand terms may be conversation stoppers, making more time available for other clients; or the belief that the use of jargon elevates one’s apparent status and authority. Clients, obviously, prefer health professionals who are willing to listen, communicate clearly, and show warmth and concern. When these expectations are met, clients are able to offer more significant diagnostic details, have greater trust, and litigate less.

Elderspeak (the counterpart to baby talk) is a term some use to describe the sweetly belittling of infantilizing form of addressing older adults, usually involving the use of terms such as “Sweetie” or “Dear”, or addressing an unfamiliar older adult by his or her first name.