Due to the increasing percentage of older adult clients in the U.S., it is imperative that healthcare providers assess and confront their own attitudes and perceptions toward older adults.
In your initial post, address the following:
1. Describe ageism and its impact on societal views of older adult clients.
2. Explain how ageism can influence the healthcare provisions of older adult clients.
3. As a healthcare provider, how can one best assess and confront attitudes, perceptions, behaviors, and biases toward older adults?
Note: this is a discussion post, I want just a 1pagr work with APA referencing Bottom of Form
### Addressing Ageism in Healthcare for Older Adults
**Ageism and its Societal Impact**
Ageism refers to the stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination against individuals based on their age, particularly older adults. Societal views influenced by ageism often portray older adults as frail, dependent, and less capable, which can lead to their marginalization and reduced social value (Levy, 2018). This negative perception impacts how society interacts with and supports older adults, often resulting in their exclusion from various social, economic, and cultural activities.
**Influence of Ageism on Healthcare Provision**
In healthcare, ageism can lead to biased treatment decisions and inadequate care. Healthcare providers may underestimate the capabilities of older adults or assume that their health issues are merely due to aging and thus unavoidable. This can result in under-treatment, over-treatment, or inappropriate treatment, and a lack of emphasis on preventive care and rehabilitation (Chang et al., 2020). Ageist attitudes can also affect the communication between providers and older adults, reducing the quality of care and patient satisfaction.
**Assessing and Confronting Biases**
Healthcare providers must engage in self-reflection to assess and confront their own attitudes, perceptions, behaviors, and biases toward older adults. This can be achieved through:
- **Education and Training**: Participating in ongoing education and training programs focused on geriatric care and the effects of ageism can increase awareness and knowledge about the unique needs of older adults (Zheng et al., 2020).
- **Self-Reflection**: Regular self-reflection and seeking feedback from colleagues and patients can help providers recognize and address their biases (Wyman et al., 2018).
- **Empathy and Communication**: Developing empathy and improving communication skills to ensure respectful and patient-centered care for older adults is essential. This involves listening actively to their concerns, valuing their input, and involving them in decision-making processes (Levy, 2018).
- **Policy Advocacy**: Advocating for policies and practices that promote equity in healthcare for older adults can also help combat ageism on a systemic level (Chang et al., 2020).
By confronting ageism, healthcare providers can improve the quality of care and enhance the overall well-being of older adult clients.
### References
Chang, E. S., Kannoth, S., Levy, S., Wang, S. Y., Lee, J. E., & Levy, B. R. (2020). Global reach of ageism on older persons’ health: A systematic review. *PLOS ONE, 15*(1), e0220857. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220857
Levy, B. R. (2018). Stereotype embodiment: A psychosocial approach to aging. *Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18*(6), 332-336. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01662.x
Wyman, M. F., Shiovitz-Ezra, S., & Bengel, J. (2018). Ageism in the health care system: Providers, patients, and systems. In *Contemporary Perspectives on Ageism* (pp. 193-212). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73820-8_13
Zheng, Z., Chen, H., & Yang, L. (2020). Improving medical students’ attitudes toward older adults through a creative arts program: A mixed-methods study. *BMC Medical Education, 20*(1), 185. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02076-4
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