Ageism And Stereotypes Of Health Care Essay

There are many potential problems associated with the use of elderspeak. One of the major problems relates to the potential of negatively impacting the self-esteem of those to whom it is being directed towards. It has also been reported that through the use of elderspeak, “staff may unknowingly reinforce dependency and engender isolation and depression… contributing to the spiral of decline in physical, cognitive, and functional status” (Williams et al, 2003). Healthcare providers who engage in elderspeak can actually contribute to the decline of their patients, representing the total opposite of good healthcare practice for which most healthcare workers strive to achieve. It has also been reported that the stereotyping of older adults can have an impact on the quality of information being relayed to the patient. For example, “providers have been found to provide more information, offer more support, and share more decision-making with clients who are younger compared to older adults” (Williams et al, 2004).

The aim of this essay is to provide the audience with an understanding of ageism in healthcare by critically analyzing the impact of ageism on the delivery of nursing care for the older person. This essay will be based from the perspective of the impact of a registered nurse’s ageist behaviour on the older patient, the nursing care of the older patient and the impact on colleagues in the health care team. This essay will also discuss theories and relevant principles of ageism, nursing care and the health care environment as well as Identifying and explaining two strategies that are effective in addressing ageism in health care.

The key issues that I am going to discuss from my reflection are disempowerment due to a person’s age where either their family or care giver answer on behalf of the elderly patient and deny the patient of their own voice. Emotional problems are a common in the elderly and this particular psychological aspect often goes unnoticed.

A new culture of ageism is now in the medical world. So many Canadians look down on seniors that ageism has become the most tolerated form of social discrimination in Canada. Health care professionals like Nathan Stall, a future geriatrics specialist and Carrie Willkies, a registered nurse are both against this new norm. In both pieces, the central idea is clear, “The Eradication of Ageism in health care”.

Older adults are the ones that tend to be most forgotten by being pushed away into a nursing home, where their families seldom visit, or tend to be overlooked and bypassed. A majority of American’s assume that just because a person is much older, means that they do not have the same problems as the younger generations, however, that is false. Older people can have the same problems has everyone else, they can have depression, they can have a sex drive, and have an increase chance of being mistreated and abused. When discussing elder mistreatment, people are sometimes taken back that elders can in fact be mistreated. Senior citizens have a great change of being abused because of the type of care-giver they have, the health issues that have put

It is important to understand that patients have been experiencing aging bias for a very long time. It is also evident in the medical profession as well, and one needs to do more to ensure that everyone is treated fairly especially the elderly patients. The elderly patients need to treat with the utmost respect and dignity. One needs to understand that the elderly are the ones who pave the way for the younger generation. Therefore, it is important that one takes the time out of their busy assignments to listen to what the older patients have to say and respond to them in an appropriate manner. This paper will discuss how aging has impact one nursing practice, aging bias that one has witnessed during their nursing practice, and a community plan to discuss aging bias.

Myths and stereotypes about aging are illness, impotency, ugliness, mental decline, uselessness. The myth about illness is when you get old you are sick and disabled. Impotency has

Unfortunately, attitudes exist throughout today’s society that cause younger individuals to overlook the needs of older adults, as they are often seen as a burden. Ageism is a growing concern amongst the current population of older adults. Hirst, Lane & Miller (2015) define ageism as negative stereotyping towards older adults solely due to their age. Older adults are continually being minimized, made to feel as if they aren’t worthy. It is especially evident in health care facilities, whether it is long-term care homes or hospital settings. Hirst, Lane & Miller (2015) found in a review of studies that older adults are more likely to receive less aggressive treatment for ailments due to people holding onto the belief that common ailments are

Children should be taught from an early age to treat the elderly with respect and dignity, and it should be carried with them throughout life. Sadly, these great dignities have been forgotten in today 's society. As nurses, we must be able to offset prejudice against older persons and improve the quality of healthcare by educating patients, families, and other healthcare staff about the effects of ageism and by advocating for the delivery of unbiased cared toward the OA. Being a caregiver can be a tough responsibility, it can be emotionally and physically taxing. It demands devotion and patience that can be exhausting but showing respect and dignity is always the best choice, as well as be considerate. Caring of our elderly takes knowledge. By understanding what happens in the mind, body, and the different phases one goes through as they age, we can better help in caring for our seniors. To reduce ageism, medical professionals should become aware of the subtle forms of ageism inside themselves.

Older people have the capacity to improve society through their experience. Yet their apparent age has connotations of limitations believed by many, even by older people themselves. It may be assumed that older people in society are incapable of independence. This may be due to the presence and maintenance of older age stereotypes. These negative generalisations affect the older population negatively (Nelson, 2016). Since they can lead elderly people to believe they are incapable due to their age as the main factor. This causes older people to less fulfilling lives that negatively affects their health.

Stereotypes of aging greatly affect older adult’s. Although, stereotypes can be both positive and negative, there is a negative stigma associated with aging. Many associate old age with forgetfulness, ill health and poor mental and physical function. According to Berke (2013), “Stereotype threat—the fear of being judged on the basis of a negative stereotype—can trigger anxiety that interferes with performance” (p.314). For example, people judge, the elderly’s failure in memory. If an older person can’t find their cell phone, one may think they are becoming senile. However, if a younger person can’t remember where they placed their cell phone it isn’t a big deal, they don’t have a serious memory problem. Berek (2013) also states, “In a survey

When most people envision an elderly person, their minds go to the iconic little old lady or man. They automatically think about them having psychological ailments such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. With this assumption comes many unfair prejudices in the work place or other

There are many stereotypes about the elderly generation, unfortunately people seem to think that when you're older you're not as important as you are when you're younger. One of many stereotypes about elderly people is that older people are sweet and kind and at peace with the world. That's hilarious because there are several elderly people that can be rude or mean. Another stereotype that older people can't learn. What do you mean older people can't learn? Anybody can learn! Another ridiculous stereotype is that all elderly people are sweet and kind and at peace with the world. Well they must not know the people that I take care of every day at my facility, because let me tell you older people can be just as nasty as younger people. That's

Sometimes a healthcare professional may have preconceived ideas about elderly clients and disregard what they may say to them. This is a form of ageism that

Social workers usually focus on adaption, to new experiences, issues, and even losses. An overpowering approach emphasizes how people use their strengths to survive, adapt to new experiences, and learn to appreciate the positive aspects of these new experiences. The second aspect is competence, and the social worker can help older adults focus on and emphasize what they can do and what they cannot do. Each individual should appreciate his or her own level of competence. Relatedness, is concept, involves the sense of belonging and relating to other people. Adaption for the elderly is usually related directly to having to rely on medication for the rest of their life, or having to rely on strangers for daily living needs. It appears that every juncture, an elderly