When you work with older patients in a spa or other care environment, you may need to offer health advice or make recommendations. In general, older patients have longer and more unique medical histories than younger patients that you should factor into any physical health recommendations. Here are a few tips for communicating effectively with older patients about physical health.
Factor In the Medical Histories of Older Patients
Older patients may be taking medication or undergoing treatment for chronic health issues. High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels are only two ongoing issues that are worth considering when advising older patients. Any medication that a patient is on may factor into which treatments to increase or maintain physical health are likely to prove most effective and safe.
Getting exercise of the right type and intensity can be one of the most effective ways to manage chronic health issues. Advisors should account for the physical condition of patients, including any previous injuries that could make low-intensity or other specialized exercises a better choice for a particular patient than higher-intensity alternatives.
Recommend Quality of Life Improvements
Patients who are advanced in years are prone to be set in their ways. Treatments that could significantly improve a patient’s quality of life can be the best opportunities to introduce an individual to new experiences. If a patient is dealing with sensations of discomfort or pain, it can be worthwhile to go over providers of stem wave therapy near me and point out the proven benefits of pursuing this treatment.
Stem or shock wave therapy is an advanced treatment method that combines positive pressure pulsations with tensile waves to provide pain relief, reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue growth, repair and remodeling. Discussing how this treatment works could make elderly patients more willing to try this method of therapy.
Introduce Patients To New Treatment Technology
Taking the time to explain how a method of physical therapy works and going into the potential results can make an older patient more cooperative with innovative elder care methods. Many older patients may not be up to date on the advances in physical therapy that underlie shock or stem wave treatments. It is the role of a care provider to introduce treatments that could be transformative for a patient’s level of physical comfort or range of activity.
Care providers who take the time and make the effort to communicate information to older patients in ways that are effective may be able to better advise patients. Many senior patients are aware of the need to make informed decisions about treatment, and rely on professionals to provide guidance and insight into the most effective methods.
Promote a Comprehensive Approach To Wellness
Too many care providers zero in on isolated symptoms of more comprehensive health issues. Providers who look at the bigger picture and observe the connections between symptoms may be able to do more for a patient than merely mitigate discomfort or pain. When the underlying causes of health issues have been identified, other treatment options may become available.
A patient who is willing to do recommended treatments or make lifestyle changes to improve or maintain his or her quality of life will be more likely to benefit from any course or type of physical therapy. The role of a care provider is to recognize this openness and recommend the right treatments. Older patients may benefit from encouragement to forge and strengthen a connection between mind and body.
Any care provider should refer to available medical histories when advising a patient about physical health. It is also important to factor in the activity level, lifestyle and health goals of a patient when recommending changes to make in their daily lives or new treatments to try. Older patients are more likely to listen to care providers who provide comprehensive solutions that help them to feel better and physically be able to do more.
