Ageism

Ageism
• What is Ageism?
• Ageism is when attitudes and practices within
society create associations between
chronological age and what is or is not expected
of a person at that age.
• Ageism involves ..?
• Ageism involves a combination of institutional
practices, individual attitudes and relationships.
• Ageism impacts on ..?
• Ageism impacts on young people and older
people.
 Ageism /Impacts
• Concept of older people as a burden
• Reduced self-esteem
• Reduced participation in society
• Restrict the type and quality of services available
• Being ignored and treated with disdain
• Denied the opportunity to be recognised as individuals
with civic rights and responsibilities
• Internalisation of a negative image—severe case leads
to suicide
• Loss of control
• Restricted in choice
• The heart
• has no
• wrinkles
 How Should We Combat it?

• Prejudice against older people – is one aspect of

Ageism.
• Ageism implies that as soon as a person can be
described as old !!
• They are automatically considered:
• of little value
• a burden on society
• economically dependent
• they generally have ill health
• are conservative politically
• nonsexual
 Ageism in the Health Service
IMPACTS
• Expected to tolerate physical discomfort and
pain
• Poorly informed
• Lack of autonomy
• Absence of consultation
• Endure unacceptable limitations
• Delivery of health and social care services can
also create barriers to the social inclusion of
older people, including lack of entitlements, over
dependence on family care and problems with
access to services
 Ageism in the Health Service
IMPACTS
• Health and social care services have
made some progress in tackling age
discrimination, but some older people still
report feeling that they have had second
class treatment and care simply because
of their age.
 Ageism in the Health Service
IMPACTS
• Ageist Institutional practices that impact on older
people can include:
• Ageism may occur because health problems in
the older population are characterised as
normal aspects of ageing,
• Fatalism and low expectations about what
services and interventions can achieve for older
people and result in discrimination against
older people.
Can we make a difference . . .?
• YES! - START
• Engaging with older
people
• Linking with national
programmes
• Create well trained,
motivated teams
• Strive for whole
systems service
improvements
Can we make a difference . . .?
• You can’t turn back the clock
but you can wind it up again!
A young face is still a blank page.
An old face with all its lines and
wrinkles is a whole book.