[Patient education in geriatrics: which specificities?]

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic diseases strongly increases with age, and the treatment of these diseases is complex in very old persons due to multiple comorbidities, loss of independence and/or frailty. In addition, cognitive troubles, dementia, sensorial disturbances are common. Patient education is becoming an important component of chronic disease management. Patients education programs aim to provide to the patient information and skill to help him/her live with his/her chronic condition. By applying patient education to geriatric patients, we described several specific aspects. Programs should involve family caregivers and must have specific objectives and use special materials which are adapted to very old persons. The model of Alzheimer disease includes caregivers and is a success. We have identified 30 patient education programs in France which are specifically devoted to geriatric patients. Most deal with Alzheimer disease, falls, drugs and multiple comorbidities management. Works have to be done to developed specials programs in other chronic diseases, with the relevant adaptation for the geriatric patient and his/her caregiver.