Lack When Communicating With The Elderly Essay

According to Harwood (2007), physicians often make the mistake of using “elderspeak” when communicating with elderly patients. Older patients may view this as patronizing and they will uncomfortable around the health care professional. Moreover, many physicians and health care professionals talk over the patients’ heads and do not address them directly. Harwood (2007) states the older patient can practice being assertive without being aggressive by adopting a tone of voice with a consistent pitch when making requests. In addition to this, the older patient may also opt to demonstrate an understanding of the conversation that is happening by being attentive.
Health practitioners usually make certain mistakes when dealing with aging patients. One of the most common mistakes is that health practitioners often fail to address the health concerns raised by the aging patients accordingly, and instead rubbish their claims as the “effects of old age” (Harwood, 2007). Health practitioners also tend to address the other concerned parties, e.g. family and friends, with the misplaced attitude that aging patients are likely not to comprehend what they are told about their health status (Harwood, 2007). On the other hand, aging patients also make mistakes when communicating with their health practitioners. The aging persons easily despise their health practitioners because they are usually much younger than them and thus, according to the aging patients, are less knowledgeable and experienced about the issues of life (Nussbaum, 2000). For this reason, aging patients often use aggressive and arrogant tones to make inquiries and demands about their health procedures. Older persons can still talk assertively to their health practitioners without necessarily being arrogant. They can …show more content…
(2007). Understanding communication and aging: Developing knowledge and awareness. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Nussbaum, J. F. (2000). Communication and Aging. Mahwah, N.J: L.