Chapter 11: Keeping the Door Open

"Let's stay in touch..."

Image of doctor making a housecall "Certain problems (alcoholism, domestic violence) or certain people (angry, hostile, depressed) or certain dilemmas (uncertain science, unanticipated side effects) or certain situations (chronic pain, disabling disease) challenge our knowledge, our skills, our respect, and even our compassion… Add to this the ‘business’ pressures to be ‘efficient’ in health care today, the technology physicians need to master and deploy, and virtually every interview is a challenge to doctors’ caring and humane instincts.“
- William D. Clark, MD

Ongoing communication is key to working effectively with your older patient. If a patient does not follow recommendations or starts missing appointments, explore whether a difficulty in communication has developed. The best way to promote ongoing communication is to communicate well from the start. The suggestions throughout this Handbook can help you to do so. The results: a healthier older patient and greater satisfaction for you and your patient.

For resources on working with older patients, contact:

National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Building 31, Room 5C27
31 Center Drive, MSC 2292
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301-496-1752
www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation
The NIA funds research on the science of aging and provides information and materials for the public and for professionals. It is the primary federal agency for Alzheimer’s disease research and education.

NIA publications are available from the National Institute on Aging Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
Phone: 1-800-222-2225
TTY: 1-800-222-4225
www.niapublications.org

American Medical Association (AMA)
515 N. State Street
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-464-5000
www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/8802.html
The AMA has several new and ongoing initiatives to address a variety of aging issues.

American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
The Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 801
New York, NY 10118
Phone: 212-308-1414
www.americangeriatrics.org
AGS has information for consumers and provides leadership to health care professionals, policymakers, and the public through programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy. The AGS website also offers many clinical resources, including:

Geriatrics at Your Fingertips is a pocket-sized collection of information on caring for older patients.
The Geriatric Review Syllabus features online educational programs on relevant subjects.

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA)
1030 15th Street NW, Suite 250
Washington, DC 20005-1503
Phone: 202-842-1275
www.geron.org
GSA is a non-profit, professional organization whose members include researchers, educators, practitioners, and policymakers.

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Page last updated Jan 31, 2008