What Is Ageism?

As the average age of americans rises, it is inevitable that more and more elderly patients will be admitted into hospitals for one reason or another, due to complications associated with aging. This coupled with long-term care in nursing homes that employ a sizable number of LPN’s means that LPN’s will be undoubtedly be in close contact with the elderly for some time. For quite some time, there has been a particular attitude noted in the nursing community as a whole, associated with the elderly, and it is not positive. To explore this attitude, first one must understand the concept of Ageism. Ageism is, much like racism, or sexism, a form of discrimination related to one’s age rather than sex or race. A large study conducted by Angela Kydd
So what does this mean for those whom care is being provided for? In some long term care facilities, such as nursing homes, some residents have described feeling as though some staff are simply there to earn their check at times. (Personal communication, Vi Bjunes, November 13, 2014) In addition to this, a french study found that the simple existence of negative stereotypes surrounding the elderly can cause higher feelings of loneliness as well as more frequent help-seeking behavior that is sometimes not genuinely needed in any way. (Coudin, 2010) This increase in behavior can lead to an already overtasked nurse taking time away from clients that genuinely need help at the same time. Paired with a shortage of nurses resulting in understaffing, this creates problems such as nurses providing reduced quality care due to rushing through tasks. This results in a difference in care that is noticeable not only to other healthcare providers, but also to patients whose health is being provided for. At some Geneva University Hospitals, patients reported feeling discriminated against in some form. One of the most common reasons cited for being discriminated against? Age. (Huddleson, Kolly, Perneger,