Assesment

Ways to Show Respect and Establish Rapport

1. At the initial meeting, use formal address or title, and then later ask if there is a preferred way of addressing her/him. In the presence of family or friends, acknowledge the older person first.
2. In the initial meeting it is sometimes considered customary for Alaska Natives to connect themselves to the land they come from and their ancestors and family. To enhance rapport, the health care workers may consider sharing something about themselves to the older adults, such as the place they consider home and who they consider their ancestors.