Understanding the Needs of Older Adults in Healthcare


In the episode, Jennifer Bechtel, the Program Manager for Geriatrics and Gerontology at The Ohio State University’s College of Medicine, sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in addressing the unique needs of older adults in healthcare.

Recognizing the Impact of Personal Experience

Jennifer Bechtel’s passion for geriatrics and gerontology stems from her personal experience with her grandparents, particularly in hospice care. Her journey led her to focus on communication and grief recovery, emphasizing the profound impact of personal connections and empathy in providing care to older adults. This underlines the significance of personal narratives and emotional intelligence. And demonstrates how one’s experiences can drive a deeper understanding of the needs of the aging population.

Addressing Knowledge Gaps in the Medical Community

Jennifer highlights the challenges of building knowledge and awareness in geriatrics and gerontology within the medical community. She underscores the fact that only a handful of universities in Ohio offer gerontology programs. And she emphasize the need to expand educational opportunities in this field.

Empathy-Based Training and Understanding Aging Concepts

Ohio State University’s Office of Geriatrics and Gerontology aims to ensure that medical professionals receive empathy-based training and understand the unique needs of older patients. Incorporating aging concepts into the medical school curriculum is a crucial step toward fostering a more positive and empathetic perspective. This emphasis on empathy and understanding in medical training sets a powerful foundation for providing comprehensive and compassionate care to older adults.

Empowering Advocacy and Support

Jennifer also focuses on the importance of advocacy and support for the healthcare needs of older adults. She shares insights into the vital role of empowering individuals to understand and advocate for their own healthcare needs. It’s important we foster an environment where older adults feel empowered to voice their concerns. As well as actively engage in decisions regarding their healthcare, reinforcing the importance of patient-centered care in gerontology.

Fostering an Age-Positive Society

Reframing societal perceptions and stigmatization of aging emerges as a key theme in the conversation. The impact of negative narratives on healthcare and the need to shift the paradigm toward celebrating aging is explored. This points towards the crucial role of societal attitudes in shaping the healthcare experiences of older adults. And highlights the imperative to cultivate a culture that celebrates and respects aging.

Expanding Access to Information and Gerontology Resources

Jennifer talks about initiatives aimed at expanding access to information and resources related to aging. Her work with Aging Connections and the redesign of the website to enhance resource accessibility underscores the value of creating user-friendly platforms that connect individuals with valuable aging-related information.

Top 5 Takeaways

1. Advocating for oneself in healthcare settings. Understanding the importance of actively participating in conversations with healthcare providers and advocating for individual healthcare needs.

2. Changing the narrative on aging. Addressing societal perceptions and stigmatization of aging, and promoting a positive and celebratory perspective on the aging process.

3. Innovations in gerontology education. Highlighting educational initiatives such as the Series in Applied Gerontology Education (SAGE) program and the Buckeye Buddy program.

4. Career opportunities in senior care. Exploring career options related to senior care and considering opportunities beyond traditional career paths in healthcare.

5. Importance of early conversations about options in the healthcare field. Encouraging discussions about the healthcare field’s concentration on older patients, policy, and reimbursement. And the need to prepare for the demographic shift where the aging population will outnumber the younger population.

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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2024 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson