Men’s Clinic Special Relief for Elderly People

Supporting Older Patients with Chronic Conditions

Approximately 85% of older adults have at least one chronic health condition, and 60% have at least two chronic conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For many older people, coping with multiple chronic conditions is a real challenge. Learning to manage a variety of treatments while maintaining the quality of life can be problematic.

Men’s clinic provides support to elderly people all over our branches in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Sandton, cape town, Durban, Rustenburg, Pietermaritzburg, Bellville, Soweto, Rivonia, centurion, Gauteng, KwaZulu natal, eastern cape, Limpopo, and others

People with chronic conditions may have different needs, but they also share common challenges with other older adults, such as paying for care or navigating the complexities of the health care system.

Clinicians can play an important role in educating patients and families about chronic health conditions and can connect them with appropriate community resources and services.

Try to start by appreciating that people living with chronic disease are often living with loss — the loss of physical function, independence, or general well-being. Empathize with patients who feel angry, sad, lost, or bewildered. Ask, “Is it hard for you to live with these problems?” From there you can refer patients to community resources that may meet their needs or, when available, recommend a disease management program or case managers in the community.

Men’s clinic Educate the patient on their medical condition

Most older patients want to understand their medical conditions and are interested in learning how to manage them. Likewise, family members and other caregivers want this information.

Physicians typically underestimate how much patients want to know and overestimate how long they spend giving information to patients. Devoting more attention to educating patients and their caregivers may seem like a luxury, but in the long run, it can improve patients’ adherence to treatment, increase patients’ well-being, and save you time.

The following tips can help you inform patients and their caregivers about medical conditions and their treatment:

• Doctors’ advice generally receives the greatest credence, so the doctor should introduce treatment plans. Other medical team members have an important role, including building on the original instructions.
• Let your patient know you welcome questions. Provide the name of someone on your staff who the patient can call to have questions answered later.
• Remember, some patients won’t ask questions even if they want more information. Be aware of this tendency and think about making information available even if it is not requested.
• Provide information through more than one channel. In addition to talking to the patient, you can use fact sheets, drawings, models, videos, or audio. In many cases, referrals to websites and support groups can be helpful.
• Encourage the patient or caregiver to take notes. It’s helpful to offer a pad and pencil. Active involvement in recording information may promote your patient’s retention and adherence.
• Repeat key points about the health problem and treatment at every office visit.
• Check that the patient and his or her caregivers understand what you say. One good approach is to ask that they repeat the main message in their own words.
• Provide encouragement. Call attention to strengths and ideas for improvement. Remember to provide continued reinforcement for a new treatment or lifestyle changes.