May/June 2005 - Center Care Health Benefits Programs

Let’s Talk About…
Communicating With Older Patients and
Their Families: New Tools and Resources
A newly revised guide entitled Working
with Your Older Patient: A Clinician’s
Handbook is now available free from
the National Institute of Aging.
The publication targets physicians,
nurses, physician assistants and other
health professionals who want to
improve relationships and bridge
communication gaps with their older
patients. The comprehensive 52-page
booklet delves into critical topics such
as prevention and wellness, driving,
incontinence, sexuality, supporting
patients with chronic conditions and
end-of-life care. The guide also
provides successful communication
strategies to discuss issues such as
breaking bad news, cognitive
problems, sensitive subjects, families
and caregivers, and working with
diverse older patients.
Valuable timesaving tools are included
in the guide as well. A tear-off card in
the back of the booklet provides details
on a range of services and resources
from elder care to Meals on Wheels.
Order your free copy by calling
1-800-222-2225 or view the guide
online at www.niapublications.org/
pubs/clinicians2004/index.asp.
Communication Tools for the
Older Patient
The AARP website features helpful
tips for senior patients regarding
communicating with physicians.
Direct patients to www.aarp.org/
health/healthguide and under
“Quality Matters,” they can choose
“Make the Most of Doctor’s Visits.”
Here they may download specific
forms to construct their medical
history, document complaints, record
medications and more. Seniors are
encouraged to fill out the forms prior
to their appointments to make the
most of their time with the physician.
Resources for Family
and Caregivers
The Administration of Aging website
features “The National Family
Caregiver Support Program Resource
Room” (www.aoa.gov/prof/
aoaprog/caregiver/caregiver.asp).
Featuring separate content for family
caregivers and professional providers,
the resource room is available in nine
languages (English, Chinese, French,
German, Italian, Japanese, Korean,
Portuguese and Spanish) making it
especially helpful for families whose
primary language is not English. In the
resource room, a caregiver can find
local services, governmental resources,
tips for providing good care and
support groups.
Aetna OfficeLink
Updates Wins Dalton
Pen Communications
Award
Your physician and office staff
newsletter, Aetna OfficeLink
Updates, was presented with an
Award of Honor in the 2005
Dalton Pen Awards competition.
A year ago, this newsletter was
redesigned and transformed to
better serve you, based on your
direction. Both the content and
appearance of the newsletter have
been revitalized to make it a more
meaningful, effective publication
for you. Thank you for your
continuing feedback.
The Dalton Pen Communications
International Awards Program is
sponsored by Warwick Publishing
and recognizes outstanding projects
in the communications field.
2 Aetna OfficeLink Updates