ABSTRACT
This chapter moves on to focus on the practical aspects of working with older people as a client group. It contains information, advice and strategies to enable the clinician to be flexible and responsive to the needs of their older clients in order for both older clients and clinicians to get the best out of their clinical encounters. Older people more commonly experience hearing and/or visual impairments than those in young or middle age. Elderspeak has many characteristics, including a slower rate of speech, higher pitch, increased volume and reduced grammatical and word complexity. It is important to be aware of factors that can affect the dynamic of the relationship between clinician and older patient. All clinicians have a duty to be vigilant about signs of abuse and to report any suspicions or disclosures in line with the safeguarding policy of their organisation.
