How Important are Bedside Manners?

Physicians are medical experts, for sure, but there’s more to being an excellent doctor than making the correct diagnosis time after time. How physicians treat and interact with the patients they serve is just as important as the medical treatment they provide.

In fact, you can argue that having an excellent bedside manner plays a pivotal role in ensuring that patients get the best medical care possible. Take a look at how bedside manners can cement the physician-patient relationship and improve the overall experience.

Establish Trust

Bedside manner describes how a physician or medical care provider interacts with and approaches a patient. Some doctors are notorious for not having a good bedside manner. They might wave off patient’s concerns or act like they are in a rush whenever they see patients.

Doctors with good bedside manners take the time to get to know their patients. The doctors might ask patients about their lives and show a genuine interest in the patients’ wellbeing. Taking that extra time to connect with patients allows doctors with a good bedside manner to build trust.

Patients are more likely to open up to doctors when they feel that the doctor will listen to their concerns or take them seriously. Trusting patients are also more likely to follow the medical advice they get from doctors.

Build Compassion for Your Patients

Having a good bedside manner helps you see what life is like for your patients. When you take the time to really listen to their problems and hear what they’re telling you, you’ll be better able to empathize with them.

When a doctor has empathy or compassion for their patients, they’re better able to see their patients as living, breathing humans. That’s why compassion matters for doctors. It humanizes the medical experience. It lets doctors share in some of the patient’s suffering, for sure. But it also gives doctors a chance to genuinely rejoice and feel relieved when patients do well.

Improve Patient Outcomes

Better bedside manners often leads to better patient outcomes, for several reasons. When doctors demonstrate compassion to patients, patients are more likely to share their concerns. A doctor who has a clearer picture of what’s going on with a patient can make a more accurate diagnosis.

Patients who trust their doctors are more likely to follow through on any treatment plans created. They’re more likely to take prescribed medications and to return for follow-up care.

Boost Your Career

Developing an excellent bedside manner can do wonders for a doctor’s career. When a physician treats their patients with compassion and shows genuine care and interest in their patients, they become the in-demand doctor.

Being in-demand leads to more patients and can also help you move up the career ladder, advancing to more challenging and fulfilling roles.

How to Improve Your Bedside Manner

More and more medical schools are focusing on training students to develop their bedside manner, along with medical skills. That’s a great thing. But if your school didn’t focus on bedside manner or your patients have noted that yours is lacking, all isn’t lost.

Taking a few simple steps can help you get a better bedside manner and improve your patient rapport.

Always introduce yourself. At the start of every encounter, take a few minutes to introduce yourself by telling the patient your name and what your role is in their care. Also, ask their name or how they like to be called. If other members of the care team will work with the patient, too, inform the patient of that, so that they know what’s going on.
Pay attention to body language. Look at the patient and how they’re sitting or lying down. Do they have their arms crossed or are they refusing to look at you? Do they seem nervous or scared? Take a few minutes to check in with them based on what you observe.
Keep things simple. Whenever possible, use the simplest terms to describe things to your patients or when asking questions. Ask them if pain moves, rather than radiates, for example. If you have to use a jargon-y term, take the time to explain what it means. Check in with your patient throughout the encounter to make sure they understand you.
Listen and repeat. Try repeating what your patients tell you. Doing so verifies that you have the details correct and shows the patient you’re listening. It also gives them the chance to correct any mistakes.

Your success as a physician, and your patients’ success, depends on the strength of your bedside manner. Practicing being compassionate and really seeing and listening to your patients can take you far in your medical career.

By Jim|2022-05-31T09:39:31-05:00May 31st, 2022|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

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Skin Care for the Elderly: 7 Useful Tips to Take Care of Your Skin in Your 60s and 70s

Your 60s is a period of reduced stress as you relinquish control over demanding commitments such as young children and work. Additionally, this is the stage when you have more flexibility to indulge in yourself and put your wants first. With less stress and more flexibility, this decade gives you more opportunities to keep your skin healthy and looking great.

Visible signs of aging do not have to mar an otherwise glorious chapter of your life. Understanding the current changes in your skin is vital to building the best anti-aging skincare routine for seniors. Slow down the hands of time with products that boost collagen, reduce wrinkles, and moisturize your skin.

Here are some skincare tips to help you achieve healthier skin and feel more confident as you blow out more birthday candles.

Understand Your Skin

While everyone experiences skin aging, women’s skin ages faster after menopause. The skin’s balance is disrupted when the production of certain hormones drops, which explains why signs of aging are more visible in women in their 60s.

Healthy aging-related skin changes such as thinning, dryness, roughness, sagging, and the appearance of age spots and deeper wrinkles and lines are unavoidable. Many of these characteristics are caused by the loss of firmness and elasticity in your skin.

It’s only natural for your skin to go through changes over time. However, external variables such as pollution, stress, and sun exposure might accelerate or aggravate this process. Your skin may also be more susceptible to common skin conditions affecting the elderly such as eczema, skin infections, and severely dry and itchy skin.

Understand your mature skin’s characteristics so you can use mild, effective, and natural products that address your specific needs.

Use Natural and Organic Skincare Products

Many conventional skincare products contain hormone-disrupting chemicals like parabens, phthalates, GMOs, sodium lauryl sulfate, and synthetic colorants and fragrances. These carcinogens are known to have devastating effects on the immunological, reproductive, and endocrine systems.

Natural, organic, or vegan skincare products are less prone to trigger allergic reactions, inflammation, or irritations since they do not contain harsh chemicals. These natural skincare products rich in botanical oils, vitamins, and antioxidants often provide superior benefits.

Protect Your Skin from the Sun

One of the most common causes of wrinkled, spotted skin is sun exposure. While sun damage may not manifest fully until later in life, it is never too late to improve your skin’s health by limiting your exposure to the sun.

Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above whenever your step outdoors. Seek shade, particularly between 10 AM and 4 PM when UV light is strongest. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight apparel that protects your skin from the sun.

Don’t Neglect Cleansing

Cleanse your face and neck at the start and end of each day as part of your beauty regimen. This will help maintain the health of your skin and stimulate skin renewal.

Because mature skin is more sensitive, use a mild, organic facial cleanser that is gentle on the skin. Consider oil cleansing instead of using traditional facial cleansers. Cleansing oils are a form of multi-purpose facial wash that purifies and hydrates your skin at the same time.

Don’t Take Too Long in the Shower or Tub

Taking a bath or shower can help soothe dry, itchy skin, but remember to keep it short. While a hot bath may be a wonderful way to unwind, you risk drying out your skin if you spend too long in the tub.

Wash with a mild, fragrance-free, moisturizing bar soap or body wash to help reduce dryness. Avoid using hot water as it can dehydrate your skin and contribute to its dryness—use warm water instead. Finally, apply a good moisturizer formulated for dry skin while your skin is still damp.

Exfoliate Gently

When you reach your 60s, it is important to gently exfoliate your skin to boost its ability to rejuvenate. Exfoliating also aids in the removal of dead skin cells, resulting in a more radiant complexion.

As previously stated, your skin is thinner and more fragile, so use a mild, organic face and body scrub and gently massage it over your skin in circular motions. Don’t apply too much force as this may easily lead to more fine lines and worsen the situation of sagging skin. Additionally, limit your exfoliating routine to every 10 to 14 days.

Hydrate More

Stay properly hydrated both inside and outside. Consuming sufficient water throughout the day may be a difficult habit to form for anyone, but keep in mind how critical it is to stay hydrated and how it can impact your skin.

Skin tends to become dull and dehydrated when you reach your 60s. If you want to keep your skin bright and supple, drink more water and apply a deeply moisturizing cream every morning and evening. Doing so will help reduce the appearance of pronounced wrinkles and restore your skin’s freshness, radiance, and suppleness.

Age Gracefully in Your 60s and Beyond

Consider this stage of your life as an opportunity to look and feel great about yourself. Embrace your wrinkles and be proud of the accomplishments you’ve made throughout the decades. Adopt an effective skincare routine, a healthy lifestyle, and a happy outlook to make aging gracefully a breeze.

By Jim|2022-05-23T19:06:35-05:00May 23rd, 2022|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Guest Blog: Ways to prevent and treat depression in older adults

Older adults are at high risk of developing depression. As we age, the brain becomes less active and we often begin to experience mild memory losses. Even though many seniors choose to get treatment as soon as they realize their mental health begins to decline, they don’t want to become pariahs to their families. As a consequence, they refuse to get further help and end up in depression. How can we help our older parents overcome depression when they refuse to accept our assistance?

Depression – a real health concern we shouldn’t leave unattended

Depression is a proven health concern that manifests differently from individual to individual. The symptoms are real, and if they’re not treat in advance, the condition may lead to even greater health issues, including sleep deprivation, lack of interest in performing daily activities, isolation, lack of appetite, and more.

Sadly, too many seniors can’t or won’t want to admit that they feel depressed. They refuse to get help because they don’t want to be a burden to their loved ones. As their parent, you have to be more aware of the signs, so that you can help them get back on their feet. Depression shouldn’t be seen as a sign of weakness. Everyone can become depressed at any age, and regardless of any accomplishments of background.

Have a chat with your parents and talk about their feelings

Stress or bereavement are not the sole cause of depression in older adults. If you’ve noticed that your loved ones are not eating anymore or that they’ve lost interest in performing daily activities that once made them feel good, then they might be depressed. It’s very important to talk to your parents about their feelings.

Have a friendly conversation and ask them if they’re doing ok. Older adults become depressed when their health is in jeopardy; or when they begin losing their friends due to old age. If you can’t afford to hire a specialized caregiver, you can be their caregiver. All you have to do is listen to what they have to say. Be there to comfort them and find a way to lift their spirit by doing activities together.

The link between sadness and depression

There’s a very tight connection between sadness and depression. However many older adults claims they’re not sad, making you believe they’re not depressed. But deep down something’s off. Their depression might kick in and develop in a totally different way. Pay close attention to the signs, and if you notice that mom doesn’t talk as much or doesn’t want to do anything, then she might be depressed.

In older adults, depression can be observed physically. Your parent may suffer from insomnia, acute arthritis, lack of appetite, or lack of energy. Migraines and headaches can also be a predominant symptom. As we age, we begin losing some of the people we care most about. Loss is excruciating, and older seniors don’t know how to cope with it. Many grieve differently, and even though it’s normal, some adults end up depressed.

It’s tough to make the difference between depression and grief because oftentimes the symptoms are very similar. Nonetheless, there are ways to tell them apart. Grief involves a wealth of emotions; some are good, others are not so good. Sometimes, the person grieving a loved one may experience feelings of joy and happiness. When you’re depressed, positive feelings are completely eradicated, and you feel totally empty.

Helping a loved one cope with depression

Beating depression is hard, but not impossible. It demands a lot of hard work and determination. Support matters the most, they key often being to be there for your aging parent and engage in activities that make them feel positive and upbeat. Note that digital communication doesn’t help; talking to your mom every week over the phone is not enough to raise her spirit. You have to do it in person.

Make time to visit every week. Bring the kids over, go out for coffee, and find a way to have a good time and remember the good times. Residential care may not be the first thing that comes to mind when aiming to overcome depression. But it might be a good idea because it allows older adults to make new friendships and build relationships.

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By Jim|2022-05-12T11:06:04-05:00May 22nd, 2022|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

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