Effective teaching for the elderly: back to basics.

Providing effective patient education is an essential part of every nurse's role. The elderly have special learning needs related to health promotion and management of chronic disease processes. Elderly orthopaedic patients require additional education related to their specific functional and rehabilitation needs. Planning and implementing effective patient education for the elderly orthopaedic patient requires knowledge of adult learning principles and knowledge of the special learning needs and teaching methods that can be adapted for this growing population. Adult learning principles and aspects of normal aging that affect learning are described in this article. Suggestions for planning, implementing, and evaluating education for patients and their families are based on the nursing process. Basic teaching tips and criteria for evaluating educational materials are included.