Impact of an Educational Module on Occupational Therapists’ Use of Elderspeak and Attitudes Toward Older Adults

ABSTRACT

Aim: To study the impact of an educational module on the ability of six occupational therapists to identify and correct elderspeak, to communicate with older adults about sensitive topics, and their confidence in teaching communication techniques at their workplace. Methods: We designed a pilot educational module consisting of a workshop and three follow-up online modules. To measure outcomes, we used the Refined Aging Semantic Differential (RASD); the Elderspeak Measurement Tool; and pre- and postsurveys. Results: The results demonstrate a slight improvement in participants’ awareness of and ability to correct elderspeak. Participants demonstrated favorable views toward older adults both before and after the educational modules. Conclusions: Educational programs may be effective for promoting clinicians’ insight and improving their ability to identify and correct elderspeak. Recommendations for future study include conducting the program over a longer period of time with a larger sample using behavioral measures to examine impact on clinical behaviors.

KEYWORDS. :

• ageism
• elderspeak
• geriatrics
• occupational therapy
• refined aging semantic differential