By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    improving patient experience
    6 Ways to Improve Patient Satisfaction Within Hospitals
    December 1, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Can Thinking Younger Make You Live Longer?
    April 20, 2011
    Image
    Obesity’s Outlook Unchanged
    June 13, 2011
    When It’s An Emergency Elderly Not Treated As Well in Hospitals
    July 16, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: The Dos and Don’ts of Handling Elderly Patients
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Geriatrics > The Dos and Don’ts of Handling Elderly Patients
Geriatrics

The Dos and Don’ts of Handling Elderly Patients

jennacyprus
Last updated: October 28, 2017 3:27 pm
jennacyprus
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

As people age, new concerns arise. It becomes more difficult to communicate with patients and discuss their needs in a constructive manner. The anger, sadness, confusion, and fear that comes as individuals lose their physical and mental capacity often comes across in aggressive speech or behaviors. Then, there are those who suffer from mental and physical illnesses, which makes the situation considerably worse.

Their behavior may be understandable based on their condition, but it doesn’t make it any easier to handle. Your elderly patients will require some special consideration. As a healthcare worker, it’s your job to figure out ways to cope. As you try to determine the best strategies for managing elderly behaviors, here are some dos and don’ts to follow.

Do identify the cause of aggressive behavior.

One of the most common issues health providers face when dealing with the elderly is aggressive behavior. As dementia, Alzheimer’s, and age attack a patient’s mind, it often triggers an aggressive response. When there’s physical discomfort or other environmental factors threatening their already fragile state of mind, the mind jumps into a jerk reaction it knows will engender a response. Patients will often hit, kick, bite, curse, or verbally abuse the care provider as a result.

The best defense here is identifying the cause of the aggressive behavior and quickly finding a way to remedy it. First, be sure that the patient won’t put themselves or anyone else in danger when they’re having a fit, and then speak in a calm, reassuring manner to see if you can find the source of the agitation.

More Read

Predictors of Hospitalization in Congestive Heart Failure Patients
The Most Effective Ways to Manage and Prevent UTIs in the Elderly
Low Risk of Shingle Re-occurence in Elderly
Caremerge Nudges Long-Term Care Coordination Into the Mobile Health Era
Following the French on Alzheimer’s care

You may be able to spot the problem without talking to them as well. For example, if the heat is up too high, you might notice sweat on the patient’s skin, and check the thermostat. Turning down the heat and opening a window could help to abate the aggressiveness in this situation.

Don’t engage in an argument or force the issue.

When an elderly patient is being particularly difficult, the worst possible thing you can do is engage. Unless the patient is putting someone else or themselves in danger with their actions, forcibly restraining the person will only add to their confusion and decrease your chances of handling the situation calmly.

In addition, getting into an argument with the patient will only gratify the behavior. They’re looking for an emotional response from you, and arguing will make it more difficult to end things. Always seek to communicate with older patients calmly and patiently.

Do brush up on social behaviors associated with mental illness.

Most healthcare providers are aware of the causes and symptoms of mental illnesses that come as a result of age, but many don’t pay attention to the social behaviors or triggers. Brushing up on this kind of information can arm your medical professionals with the knowledge they need.

For example, when Alzheimer’s patients find themselves in a room with too much stimulus (a loud television set, bright lights, too many people, extreme temperatures, etc.) it can cause severe agitation. When care professionals are aware of these social behaviors, they can anticipate problems, removing offending triggers and preventing issues.

Don’t indulge in lengthy explanations.

The elderly are often confused. Their body and mind, which have served them well for the last 70 or more years, have suddenly turned on them with no explanation. This leads to confusion that’s often difficult to translate.

Some healthcare professionals make the mistake of treating the aged like any other patient, and dive into a lengthy explanation of why they’re sick or why they can’t remember their home address. It’s often better to avoid trying to reason with a patient. Instead, try to distract them and make them feel more comfortable with a new situation.

Every situation with an elderly patient will be different, but the most important thing you can do is make them comfortable and avoid things that might disrupt their mental stability. These general rules, combined with your own experience, will lead you to more successful elderly patient interactions.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Health
May 15, 2025
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology
May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

Alcohol Abuse a Growing Problem for Older Adults

September 27, 2012

Aging Brains Slower Due to More Knowledge and Experience, Not Cognitive Decline

January 27, 2014

Technology Applications and the Fast-Moving Elderly

June 30, 2012
alzheimer's and sleep
GeriatricsSpecialties

Alzheimer’s Disease Linked to Poor Sleep: Quantity and Quality of Sleep Make a Difference

October 26, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?