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Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
A pilot study on factors linked to healthcare providers' communication with older adults
Ouafa Izel1, Halima El Houmaydy2, El Mahjoub El Harsi2,3
1Cadi Ayyad University, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Department of Biology, Morpho-Science Research Laboratory, Marrakech, Morocco.
Effective communication between caregivers and older adults is a key element of optimal care, both therapeutically and psychologically. However, it can be hampered by a variety of factors relating to the older adults, the caregiver, and the working environment.
Effective communication between caregivers and older adults is a key element of optimal care, both therapeutically and psychologically. However, it can be hampered by a variety of factors relating to the older adults, the caregiver, and the working environment.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the communication skills of caregivers with older adults and to identify the factors likely to influence them in the Marrakech-Safi region.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and October 2024 among 731 caregivers working in healthcare facilities in the Marrakech-Safi region. Caregivers' communication was assessed using the Kalamazoo Essential Elements Communication Checklist-Adapted (KEECC-A). Multiple linear regression was used to determine potential factors influencing the KEECC-A score.
Results:
The mean overall KEECC-A score was 3.19±0.70. The lowest mean subscale scores were associated with reaching agreement (3.00±0.95), understanding the patient's perspective (3.07±0.95), gathering information (3.13±0.94), and closing the interview (3.17±0.97). Multivariate analysis revealed that stress (B=-0.181±0.065; p=0.006) and illiteracy among older adults (B=0.147±0.057; p=0.010) were the main factors influencing caregivers' communication skills.
Conclusion:
Although caregivers interact positively with illiterate older adults, stress has a negative impact on communication, highlighting the need for a holistic approach that considers both patient's needs and caregivers' work environment.
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