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Communicating Effectively with Older Adults


Karan Dawson, PhD

Emeritus Clinical Associate Professor

University of Washington

Department of Pharmacy


Learning Objectives

By the end of this lecture, you should be able to:

  1. Identify common age-related communication challenges and explain how sensory, cognitive, and emotional changes can impact interactions with older adults.
  2. Demonstrate effective communication techniques tailored to older adults, including strategies for improving understanding, building trust, and encouraging engagement.
  3. Apply culturally sensitive and person-centered communication approaches to real-world scenarios involving diverse older adult populations.

[From the Spring 2025 General Geriatric Healthcare Lecture Series]