Understanding the Role of Communication Disparities in Late Old Age: Strategies for Connecting with the Hardly Reached
2:15 p.m. 3:15 p.m.
Carrie Leach, PhD, MPA
Research Assistant Professor
Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University
Health disparities are driven, in part, by communication disparities. Those who face the greatest health burdens often have the least communication resources to draw on to help them to manage and cope. This presentation will discuss why people become hard-to-reach in late old age and present strategies for connecting and helping older people remain engaged with their communities and resources to help them manage their health.
The presenter will discuss older adults’ preferences for receiving information; identify communication changes that occur with age and the resulting impact; present effective ways that information can be imparted to or derived from older adults so as to improve interactions; and describe the importance of message content being tailored to the skills, values and beliefs of older adults.
Closing
3:15 p.m. 3:30 p.m.
Alicia Majcher, MHSA
Director of Operations, MICMT