Confidentiality -
Respecting Our Neighbors

Anna Guest, MOT, OTR/L

University of Maine Center on Aging
Lifelong Maine

 In our small, close-knit Maine communities, we must be particularly attuned to the private information we may hold about other community members, and how to protect personal information when we inevitably run into folks in different contexts. 

We’ll explore what confidentiality is, why it’s important, the type of information we must protect, and strategies to ensure that we're prepared for nuanced situations.  The information in this chapter may also be helpful to share with leaders and other volunteers in your age-friendly community so the whole team is well informed and trained on confidentiality practices.

Understanding Confidentiality and Privacy

Let's explore ideas of confidentiality and privacy through an example of John, a volunteer driver and Charlene, a community member receiving a ride. 

Confidentiality can raise a lot of questions. Click through the information below using the arrows or 3 dots to explore more.

Reflection - What is Confidentiality

Think about your own or a close family member's PII and PHI.  Imagine you were receiving a ride to an upcoming doctor's appointment.  What would you be comfortable sharing with the driver?  Of that information, would you want them to share anything with other members of their team? Click here to complete the first of three reflections in this chapter. Entering your reflection will also record your progress. Important: Complete each section before moving on to its corresponding reflection. When you return to the form, you will automatically be taken to where you last left off. 

Activity - What to Say When....

Tight knit communities can make confidentiality practices more complicated.  People are more likely to know each other, run into each other in a variety of local places, and have less options for preserving anonymity in where they access resources.  The person who runs the local food pantry is also the local hair dresser; two warming center volunteers are also neighbors.  With such close community ties,  and the caring relationships that accompany them, it's inevitable that we'll be asked questions that jeopardize confidential information.  It can be difficult to know how to answer in the moment, especially if you feel caught off guard.   Just having a few words in the back of your mind can help you respond with candor and caring while also maintaining confidentiality and building trust. 

Resource - Considerations in Your Community

This article, "Confidential Information: What To Say When You Can't Say Anything"  from Let’s Grow as Leaders offers more helpful information about maintaining confidentiality with candor and care. 

Reflection - Considerations in Your Community

What situations can you envision coming up in your community where you may need to communicate clearly with others to maintain confidentiality.  What strategies could you see yourself using? What might you say?  Click here to complete the second of three reflections in this chapter. Entering your reflection will also record your progress. Important: Complete each section before moving on to its corresponding reflection. When you return to the form, you will automatically be taken to where you last left off. 

Reflection - Confidentiality in Practice

What practices are your community and team members already using to practice confidentiality?  Are there new practices or skills you’d like to explore?  Click here to complete the final reflection in this chapter and record your successful completion of the Confidentiality chapter. Note: Clicking will bring you back to where you left off when you completed your last reflection. When you have finished, please click "submit" to record completion of the Confidentiality chapter. 

Additional Resources 

During this chapter, we hope you will gain a few tools to strengthen your practices around confidentiality and engage in a discussion with the age-friendly team about your confidentiality policy.
If you have any questions as you are going through the material, please email: lifelong@maine.edu. 

The Lifelong Maine Skill Building Series was developed as part of the Community Connections project.
Funding for the project was provided through support of the Governor's Cabinet on Aging and Office of Aging and Disability Services.
We are deeply grateful for the funding and for the thought leadership provided by Elizabeth Gattien, Coordinator of the Governor's Cabinet on Aging.