Geriatric motivation. Clinically helping the elderly to comply

1. Motivation must be considered separately from compliance. Compliance implies manipulation whereas motivation is not something we "do to" a patient. 2. Many factors can stimulate patient motivation. These include both internal (medication, nutrition, sensory, and cognitive changes) and external (social norms) factors, as well as beliefs and past experiences. 3. Many strategies can help motivate the elderly to comply. It is helpful to set goals with the patient, explore fears of failure, establish frequent rewards, set a low stress environment, use role models, and evaluate each patient as an individual.