Final answer:
Effective communication with older patients includes using specific terms, clear enunciation, and respectful language. It's crucial to avoid stereotypes, recognize their individuality, and appreciate their life experiences and diverse capabilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
When communicating with an older patient, it is important to use specific terms or jargon, enunciate clearly, and employ respectful language to ensure effective communication.
This approach helps to build a connection between healthcare providers and patients, enabling them to foster a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding. For instance, rather than adhering to stereotypes such as believing that older people drive too slowly or speaking to them in an overly loud voice, it's important to recognize the individuality of each patient, as well as the value they bring through their life experience and the potential they still hold.
Older individuals, such as those who continue to lead active lives including participation in marathons, defy societal expectations and show a diverse range of capabilities and interests. Furthermore, in situations where older adults may be hesitant to accept help or adapt to new technology, as seen with the eighty-three-year-old grandmother who prefers phone calls over emailing, it remains crucial to be patient and understanding.