A strong patient-physician relationship is vital to a healthful treatment plan. However, some physicians are more adept than others at communicating with elderly patients.
Studies have shown that older patients are less satisfied with the amount of information provided to them during medical interactions. In addition, many are unable to talk about psychosocial issues due to time constraints.
Streamlined Medical Records
Choosing a primary care physician who is willing to take the time to develop a relationship with you and learn about your medical history can provide continuity in healthcare that will meet your needs. Seniors often have multiple chronic health conditions that may require ongoing care and monitoring.
In interviews with community care providers, six key themes emerged:
1. Engaging older adults in decision-making.
2. Creating a culture of partnership.
3. Maintaining a strong, trusting relationship with elderly patients.
4. Identifying services in the community for elderly patients.
5. Developing a standardized referral process and follow-up.
Those who are trained to communicate with their older patients as partners in care have higher compliance with treatment regimens and better outcomes (Greenfield et al 1985; Kaplan et al 1989; Cegala et al 2000). The ability to convey an earnest interest in the patient as a person helps to create a positive relationship that supports effective engagement.
Early Diagnosis
When an elderly person shows signs of memory or judgement problems, it can be scary to think they might have Alzheimer’s or dementia. However, a thorough medical exam and proper diagnosis can give them peace of mind that they don’t have a serious disease and help them plan for the future.
Physicians who have a long-term relationship with their patients are familiar with their medical history, which can speed up the process of diagnosing. They also use articulate methods of communication to ensure elderlies understand their medical issues. This helps to save them from costly specialist visits, confusion, and stress in the longer run. This is particularly important for elderly patients who depend on pension funds and health care insurance for treatment financing. Early diagnosis also means they can start medication earlier to prevent the disease from progressing into a fatal condition.
Preventive Care
A strong patient-physician relationship is key to maintaining good health. This is especially important for elders, who can be prone to certain diseases due to their age and weak immunity.
Your primary care physician can take care of a variety of health issues, such as screenings, immunizations, counseling, and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. They can also provide referrals to specialists if needed.
An effective primary care doctor can help older adults navigate the complex and varied health care system. They can also facilitate engagement with community services and improve processes for coordinating information, referrals, and patient engagement. The results of this study provide a deeper understanding of the current operations of family health teams, and suggest a framework for improving primary care in the future.
Health Mediator
With the growing age, the elderly are prone to health conditions that can lead to poor immunity. It is essential that they develop a strong patient-physician relationship in order to streamline medical records and get a better treatment plan.
Elder mediation allows seniors to express their concerns to a neutral third party in a private setting, enabling them to articulate their interests and fears. It also provides an opportunity for the family to resolve disagreements and make decisions that they can all live with.
Many community care organizations offer services to help families navigate the complexities of senior care. Some offer elder mediation to help families reach agreement about tough decisions involving finances, home care, end-of-life planning, and caregiver schedules. This can ease family tensions and prevent conflict over decisions relating to a loved one’s care.
Medical Assistance
As healthcare becomes more specialized, it can be challenging for elderly patients to manage their appointments, prescriptions, and guidance amongst multiple specialists. This is where a primary care physician can serve as their medical home base, keeping track of information and coordinating with specialists so that they don’t have to.
This is particularly important for elderly patients who may have trouble navigating the healthcare system, such as those living with cognitive impairment. Having a doctor that can recognize early signs of dementia, depression, or other conditions can help them receive treatment before they reach the advanced stage.
During focus groups and individual interviews, participants expressed the need for improved systems that facilitate more meaningful engagement with older adults. In addition to this, they highlighted the need for standardized methods for identifying services in the community that are appropriate for older adults.
