The American Geriatrics Society - News - Improve Communication With Your Healthcare Practitioner With The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging's New Health Tip Sheet

For Immediate Release
June 16, 2009

For Further Information
Erin Weller
eweller@americangeriatrics.org

Improve Communication With Your Healthcare Practitioner With
The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging's New Health Tip Sheet

New York, NY -- Good communication between patients and their healthcare practitioners is essential to good care. To help older adults better communicate with their healthcare providers, the American Geriatrics Society's Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA) has released a new, easily understandable tip sheet for older people and their caregivers.

The tip sheet, "How to Talk to Your Healthcare Practitioner: Tips on Improving Patient-Practitioner Communication" outlines steps older adults and their caregivers can take before, during, and after a visit to a practitioner. These steps help ensure that practitioners, older patients and their caregivers get the information they need.

Before visiting a healthcare provider, the tip sheet advises older people to, among other things, make a list of any current symptoms or health problems they have, as well as past health problems, any treatments they've undergone, and any adverse reactions to treatments they have had. It also encourages older adults to put the medications, supplements and other remedies they're taking in a bag and bring it to their appointment. That way their practitioner can see what they're taking and at what doses - important information, since medications may interact and some may affect medical test results. The tip sheet also advises older adults who don't speak English as a first language to consider looking for a practitioner who speaks their native tongue, bring along a bilingual buddy to translate, or call the office and request a translator ahead of time.

During a visit, the tip sheet encourages older patients and their caregivers to answer all questions frankly, to request explanations when needed, and to ask follow-up questions, such as, "Are there any risks associated with this treatment?" and "Are there any alternative treatments?" It also suggests that patients and caregivers repeat back what their providers tell them about their health and treatments to ensure that they've understood correctly.

After an appointment, the tip sheet advises older patients to contact their practitioner's office if they don't feel better, if they have an adverse reaction to a medication or other treatment, or if they realize they've forgotten to mention something important that's relevant to their health.

Other easy-to-read health tip sheets for older adults and their caregivers in the popular FHA series cover such topics as cold and immunizations, falls prevention, emergency planning, safe sex, and joint replacement surgery for older people.

ABOUT THE FHA

In 1999, the American Geriatrics Society reached beyond its traditional role as a professional medical society and launched the AGS Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA). The FHA aims to build a bridge between geriatrics health care professionals and the public, and advocate on behalf of older adults and their special needs: wellness and preventive care, self-responsibility and independence, and connections to family and community. The FHA champions initiatives in public education, clinical research, and public policy that advance the principles and practice of geriatrics medicine; educate policy makers and the public on the health care needs and concerns of older adults; support aging research that reduces disability and frailty, and improves quality of life and health outcomes; encourage older adults to be effective advocates for their own health care; and help family members and caregivers take better care of their older loved ones and themselves.

ABOUT THE AGS

Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (www.americangeriatrics.org) is a nationwide, not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of all older people. The Society supports this mission through activities in clinical practice, professional and public education, research, and public policy. With an active membership of over 6,500 health care professionals, the Society has become a pivotal force in shaping attitudes, policies, and practices in geriatric medicine.