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Many professionals do not see the individual as a person. Perhaps our training programs could benefit from some coaching by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and his wife Brenda. They are adamant about teaching their seven children to respect the dignity of others. In a recent New York Times article, I read that every time they go out to dinner the children have to relay to them the color of their server's eyes. Perhaps our healthcare training programs could include this "game" in their agendas.
Along with the notion of relating to a "patient" as a person, we all need to watch out for Ageism. Even well intended individuals can fall into this trap. We have experienced emergency room physicians who automatically talk to the family instead of the 83 year old patient even though that person is very sharp mentally. Once when my mom and I were dining together a very nice waitress asked me if I wanted to cut her meat for her. She has gray hair, not gray matter in her brain!
The message I'd like everyone to think about is to really look into the eyes of the person you are caring for and think of them as a person, not just another assignment. Don't assume they can't get better because they are older. And don't assume they are not cognitively capable just because they have gray hair. Remember, we will all be there someday!
See You later,
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