High-quality healthcare therapy is based on effective communication when treating senior citizens. Healthcare professionals often encounter age-related communication challenges, which may arise from limited awareness of geriatric needs and insufficient training in communication techniques. For successful interaction with older persons, the Gerontological Society of America created this evaluation study to highlight evidence-based strategies that acknowledge the age-related changes without relying on stereotypes. Effective communication promotes patient happiness, increases commitment towards treatment therapy, builds trust, and improves diagnostic accuracy.
Over 90% of older people consulted a doctor at least once in 2023, and many of them observed that good communication is an important factor in managing chronic diseases. Limited health literacy among older adults can hinder their ability to understand and follow care plans effectively. When under stress or overloaded by sickness, people with poor literacy may face challenges in performing tasks, including understanding medical instructions and assessing health risks.
All patients, regardless of literacy level, benefit when healthcare providers use plain language and avoid medical jargon. It may be more difficult to read or recognize nonverbal clues if someone shows age-related visual issues. About two-thirds of individuals over 60 years old have hearing loss known as age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Using visual signals like lip-reading, speaking clearly, eliminating background noise, and addressing the patient can improve communication. Message interpretation is influenced by nonverbal clues such as voice tone, body posture, and facial expressions.
Verbal communication can be enhanced by supplementing it with written and visual materials. Individuals with limited literacy or visual impairments show improvement with large print and simple images. Open-ended inquiries provide more detail than closed-ended questions, and they are crucial for obtaining information from patients. Verbal communications were reinforced when information is given through written and visual sources, allowing patients to take home information for future reference and during follow-up visits.
The teach-back method is a useful tool for assessing patient understanding and reinforcing key information. The physician assesses if the patient’s recollections were correct and identifies any gaps that need to be filled. People with cognitive impairment might respond more easily when the tone is simple and quiet. While speaking, physicians should face the person directly and interact with patients by standing eye level with them. If a caregiver was present during the patient’s visit, then all correspondents should focus as much as possible on the patient. It is more common for healthcare professionals in various practice settings to engage with senior citizens regularly.
Speaking too slowly or too quickly is unnecessary; instead, maintain a calm, respectful tone. Maintain the desired tone of the phrase while speaking. Personal respect and transparent communication with older individuals are key to maintaining high-quality care. Providers should change methods to keep every patient’s identity and cultural background private to manage their sensory and cognitive difficulties.
Trust is enhanced through strategies such as teach-back, open-ended questions, active listening, and the proper use of written materials. Good communication between healthcare professionals and senior citizens was effective for improved treatment outcomes and healthy relationships with patients.
Reference: Gerontological Society of America. Communicating With Older Adults: A Review of What Really Works. Washington, DC: Gerontological Society of America; 2025. Accessed on August 7, 2025. GSAenrich: Ageism In Health Care
