Patient teaching for elders

There are many myths regarding elders' abilities to learn, which may affect the nurse's approach to the older person during patient teaching. Physiological changes of aging have an effect on learning and must be considered by the nurse when a teaching plan is developed. The older person has the capability to learn and probably will do so when the time is right, when the plan is right, and when motivated to learn. Learning is facilitated by a one-to-one encounter, but also may occur in a group or community setting.