Having good relationships with health professionals benefit both older adults and the people who are helping them.
A good relationship means that health professionals:
Pay attention to the questions and concerns of the older adult and their helpers
Give the older adult and their helpers all the information and detail they ask for
Use languages the older adult and their helpers can understand, either avoiding or explaining technical terms
Speak to the older adult and their helpers as intelligent adults, avoiding overly simple or baby-like talk
Treat the older adult and their helpers as important partners in the older adult's healthcare
Give the older adult's helpers the information and guidance they need
Understand that some health issues and tasks can be upsetting for the older adult and their helpers
Steps that can improve relationships with health professionals include:
Asking for recommendations from family and friends, when choosing new health professionals
Sharing concerns and preferences with health professionals, such as needing more information or explaining beliefs or practices that affect treatment decisions
Being respectful and positive when giving health professionals feedback, and focusing on the facts of what happened rather than emotions
Rethinking who does to appointments, especially if the older adult likes a health professional but the family member who usually goes to the appointments with them doesn't