Teaching or educating?

[verdeacres]

So, they always say we educate patients. What do you all say, would you say we educate patients or teach patients? What is the difference? When I googled the difference in the words, it says that an educator is more of a life-long teacher/mentor. Thoughts?

[canigraduate]

I thought it had to do with the age of the student. Teacher for 18 and under, educator for the adult population.

Also, it sounds like there are more letters after your name if you say educator.