As people age, their health needs may increase, but their right to participate in decisions about their care remains just as essential - if not more so. Involving older adults in their care planning leads to better outcomes, higher satisfaction, and a greater sense of dignity and autonomy.
Whether someone is managing chronic conditions, experiencing cognitive changes, or simply adjusting to the realities of aging, shared decision-making empowers them to remain active participants in their own lives. Yet too often, older adults are excluded from conversations about their treatment, support services, or living arrangements.
Here’s why that needs to change - and how we can ensure seniors are included, respected, and supported in shaping their care.
Better Health Outcomes Through Participation
Research shows that when older adults are involved in their care decisions, they are more likely to:
- Adhere to treatment plans
- Report higher satisfaction with their care
- Experience fewer hospital readmissions
- Have improved mental health and a stronger sense of control
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older patients who participated in shared decision-making felt more informed and confident, especially in situations involving complex trade-offs like managing medications or choosing between therapies.
When people understand the “why” behind a care plan and feel that their voice has been heard, they’re far more likely to follow through.
Respecting Autonomy and Life Experience
Older adults have decades of lived experience. They know their values, their preferences, and what matters most in their daily lives. Ignoring this in favor of a purely medical approach can be disempowering and even harmful.
By asking questions like:
- “What would a good day look like for you?”
- “What are you hoping to achieve with this treatment?”
- “What concerns you most about the future?”
...care teams and family members can ensure that decisions align with the individual’s goals - not just the diagnosis.
Co-Designing Tools and Support Services
Technology and services that support aging in place are often more effective when older adults help shape them. Co-designing with seniors ensures:
- Interfaces are intuitive and accessible
- Reminders, prompts, and features reflect real needs
- Services respect privacy and promote independence
At Elli Cares, for example, many of the app’s features - including customizable reminders, Safe Zones, and check-ins - have been informed by feedback from older users and their families. The result is a tool that doesn’t feel controlling, but rather empowering.
Read about why tech solutions for seniors must be co-designed with users.
Involving People with Cognitive Impairment
People living with mild to moderate cognitive impairment can and should be involved in their own care planning. In fact, early involvement often leads to better long-term outcomes and helps avoid distress later.
By using accessible language, visual aids, and simplifying choices, we can make it easier for those with dementia or memory loss to:
- Share preferences about support services
- Decide who they want on their care team
- Plan for the future while they’re still able to participate meaningfully
Empowering someone with cognitive challenges to stay involved in decisions reinforces their identity, self-worth, and trust in the care process.
The Role of Family and Carers
Supporting older adults to participate in care decisions doesn’t mean they have to manage everything alone. Family members, carers, and health professionals can act as guides, not directors.
Ways to support include:
- Presenting options, not just recommendations
- Asking for permission before stepping in
- Providing information in digestible formats (video, visuals, summaries)
- Respecting decisions, even if they differ from your own
The goal is to build a collaborative partnership - not a top-down dynamic.
Why It Matters
Excluding older adults from their care decisions can result in:
- Feelings of helplessness or frustration
- Missed opportunities to align care with personal values
- Reduced adherence to treatments or recommendations
In contrast, inclusion leads to:
- Greater dignity and self-esteem
- Better relationships with caregivers
- Health plans that reflect real life, not just clinical goals
Everyone deserves a say in how they live and what support they receive - especially in later life.
Final Thoughts
Respecting the voice of older adults in their own care is not just good practice - it’s essential for meaningful, person-centred support. Whether through shared decisions, co-designed tools, or compassionate conversations, we can all play a role in shifting the narrative around aging.
Because when older adults are heard, empowered, and involved, their care becomes something that supports not just longer life - but better life.
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