The Silent Crisis: Ageism in Health Services
Ageism is a pervasive issue that often goes unnoticed, especially in health services. This scoping review aims to shed light on the subtle and overt forms of ageism that older adults experience in healthcare settings.
The study meticulously maps out the expressions of ageism and suggests coping measures. It serves as an eye-opener for healthcare professionals, urging them to be vigilant about the care or neglect guided by age bias.
The Source Article Details
Ageism directed to older adults in health services: A scoping review. by Araà et al. in 2023.
The Source Article's Abstract
Objective
To map the expressions of ageism directed to older adults in health services and the respective coping measures.
Method
A scoping review of primary studies in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, without time delimitation and collected from 14 databases. The data were presented in narrative summaries and charts.
Results
The ageism expressions are understood at the interpersonal level through images and attitudes that depreciate, devalue life and delegitimize older adults' needs, as well as at the institutional level, which confers barriers to accessing health services, generating non-assistance and neglect.
Conclusion
The results may make health professionals vigilant for care/neglect guided by age bias and sensitive for coping with ageism by obtaining diverse scientific knowledge.
The Source Article References
- Age-ism: Another form of bigotry by Butler RN, 1969 in The Gerontologist
- Determinants of Ageism against Older Adults: A Systematic Review by Marques S, 2020 in Int J Environ Res Public Health
- Global reach of ageism on older persons’ health: A systematic review by Chang ES, 2020 in PLoS One
- ‘The other’ of the COVID-19 pandemic: ageism toward the elderly people in newspapers in Brazil and Chile by Araujo PO, 2022 in Saúde Debate
- Institutional ageism in global health policy by Lloyd-Sherlock PG, 2016 in BMJ
- Interventions to Reduce Ageism Against Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by Burnes D, 2019 in Am J Public Health
- PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation by Tricco AC, 2018 in Ann Intern Med
- Ageism against elderly people in health services: scoping review protocol by Araujo PO, 2023 in Online Braz J Nurs
- Updating guidance for reporting systematic reviews: development of the PRISMA 2020 statement by Page MJ, 2021 in J Clin Epidemiol
- The management of elderly blunt trauma victims in Scotland: evidence of ageism? by Grant PT, 2000 in Injury
- Physicians are less willing to treat suicidal ideation in older patients by Uncapher H, 2000 in J Am Geriatr Soc
- Are psychiatrists guilty of “ageism” when it comes to taking a sexual history? by Bouman WP, 2001 in Int J Geriatr Psychiatry
- Suffering in deference: a focus group study of older cardiac patients’ preferences for treatment and perceptions of risk by Kennelly C, 2001 in Qual Health Care
- Is There Ageism in Oncology? by Austin D, 2003 in Scott Med J
- Treatment of elderly and other adult patients for depression in primary care by Fischer LR, 2003 in J Am Geriatr Soc
- Ageism in the management of lung cancer by Peake MD, 2003 in Age Ageing
- Evidence for an age and gender bias in the secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease in primary care by Williams D, 2003 in Br J Clin Pharmacol
- Older stroke patients in Europe: stroke care and determinants of outcome by Bhalla A, 2004 in Age Ageing
- Medical decision making in scarcity situations by Van Delden JJ, 2004 in J Med Ethics
- Rural physicians’ attitudes toward the elderly: evidence of ageism? by Gunderson A, 2005 in Qual Manag Health Care
Citing the Source Article (APA)
jo, P.O.d., Soares, I.M.S.C., Vale, P.R.L.F., Sousa, A.R.d., Aparicio, E.C., Carvalho, E.S.d.S. (2023). Ageism directed to older adults in health services: A scoping review.. Revista latino-americana de enfermagem, 31(e4019), e4019-e4019. 10.1590/1518-8345.6727.4019
Expressions and Coping: A Two-Pronged Approach
The review identifies ageism at both interpersonal and institutional levels. Interpersonal ageism manifests through attitudes and images that devalue and delegitimize the needs of older adults. Institutional ageism creates barriers to accessing health services, leading to neglect.
Coping measures include educational interventions and expanding communication channels between healthcare professionals, managers, and older adults. These measures aim to sensitize healthcare providers and combat ageism effectively.
Implications for the Medical Profession
- Increased Awareness: The review serves as a wake-up call for healthcare professionals to be more sensitive to ageism.
- Policy Changes: The findings could lead to policy revisions to make healthcare more inclusive for older adults.
- Training Programs: Educational interventions can be integrated into training programs for healthcare providers.
FAQs: What You Need to Know
What is ageism?
Ageism refers to discrimination based on age, particularly against older adults.
How does ageism manifest in healthcare?
It can be both subtle, like neglect, and overt, like denial of services based on age.
So, what do you think? Are you aware of ageism in your practice or institution? How can we collectively work to eradicate this form of discrimination? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below.