An Introduction to Senior Friendly Care Top Tips

An Introduction to Senior Friendly Care Top Tips for All Staff

The 5 things we’ll discuss today 1. What’s in this for you 2. What is senior friendly care? 3. What older adults want 4. Some age-related changes to be mindful of 5. 10 things you can do right now to make a difference

What’s in this for you Having a better understanding of the needs of older adults helps you deliver the quality of care that they are expecting. This contributes to: ü Better health outcomes for older adults ü Increased satisfaction for older adults and their caregivers and families ü Increased satisfaction for you

What is senior friendly care? The sf. Care Framework’s guiding principles and defining statements collectively describe what senior friendly care looks like. Click here for the Framework, or go to www. rgptoronto. ca

What older adults want… “We don’t want [health care providers] to tell us that it’s all because of our age. ” “I want to feel as if you are talking to me as an individual with my specific needs not just as other older persons who are all alike. ” “We want interaction with providers rather than pamphlets. ” “We want providers to be informed, positive, encouraging and engaged. ” “We want interaction with “Be providers respectful, rather inquiring, culturally sensitive and not than pamphlets. ” condescending. ” “Be personal, get to know me and don’t be rushed; then it’s easier for me to share. ”

Some age-related changes to be mindful of Mind • Increased time to recall or learn new things • Decreased reaction times Vision • Decreased ability to focus • Difficulty adapting to changes in light levels • Decreased ability to resist glare Hearing Strength • Difficulty hearing high pitched sounds • Increased sensitivity to background noise • Decreased physical strength • Decreased balance / coordination

10 things you can do RIGHT NOW to make your care more senior friendly 1 Don’t rush! Avoid rapid-fire questioning, torrents of information, and interrupting 6 Remove trip hazards in rooms and hallways 2 Use simple, common language 7 Offer assistance with sitting or standing, as needed 3 Ask if clarification is needed 8 Make sure water is available and offered 9 Make sure there is adequate lighting, including sufficient light on your face during a conversation 4 5 Talk slowly and clearly in a normal tone. Shouting or speaking in a raised voice actually distorts language sounds and can give the impression of anger Eliminate background noise 10 Ensure that printed material has: large enough print (size 14 font), clear and simple wording, and complete information

References What older adults want The Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto’s (RGP) sf. Care Intersectoral Conference, 2018 What is senior friendly care RGP’s Senior Friendly Care (sf. Care) Framework https: //www. rgptoronto. ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/The. Senior-Friendly-Care-Framework-11 x 17 -Handout. pdf Some age-related changes to be mindful of World Health Organization’s Age-friendly Primary Health Care Centres Toolkit, 2008 http: //www. who. int/ageing/publications/AF_PHC_Centretoolkit. pdf The Center for Health Design’s Designing for Age-Related Changes Among Older Adults, 2015 https: //www. healthdesign. org/system/files/res_files/Exec. Summary-Design%20 for%20 Age-2015_1. pdf 10 things you can do RIGHT NOW to make your care more senior friendly National Institute on Aging’s Understanding Older Patients, 2017 https: //www. nia. nih. gov/health/understandingolder-patients For more resources on senior friendly care, visit: www. rgptoronto. ca

Driving system change to advance the quality of care for older adults living with frailty. Innovating bold solutions to complex care problems. Better health outcomes for frail older adults www. rgptoronto. ca V 1 2018 Supported by: