CASE SCENARIO

My long-established patient—an active, retired professional in her 70s with few health problems—provides feedback to me during a recent wellness visit. She states that the staff in my practice had treated her condescendingly and disrespectfully, seemingly because of her age. I am surprised to hear this because my staff members are especially professional and several have experience caring for older relatives. An increasing number of older patients are being seen in my practice, and this feedback is concerning to me. How can I improve staff communication skills with older patients?

COMMENTARY

Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, the U.S. population 65 years and older increased from 40.3 million to 55.8 million and now represents almost 17% of the U.S. population.¹ This nearly 40% increase was more than double the increase from 2000 to 2010 (15%) and is attributed to the influx of the baby boomer population (i.e., individuals born between 1946 and 1964).¹ This population currently accounts for approximately 60% of the older population; this number will increase as the rest of the cohort ages, simultaneously growing with a racially diverse aging population.¹ In many medical practices, older adults already comprise a large proportion of the patient population.² Best serving the health needs of these patients requires an intentional approach to the care of older individuals, free of ageist assumptions.