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Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
[Communicating with elderly patients]
1Département de Médecine générale, Université Libre de Bruxelles, ULB.
Abstract:
As with other adults, communication with elderly patients will be based on the three pillars of the person-centered approach, on motivational interviewing and on the Calgary Cambridge guide. The particularity of communication with the elderly lies in the consideration of obstacles such as visual, auditory and cognitive deficits. In addition, caregivers who accompany the patient sometimes monopolize the discussion, which could prevent him from expressing himself or even making decisions about his health. Humanity and Validation are a set of tools for communicating more effectively with the very elderly or those suffering from dementia.
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