The aim of this essay is to incorporate an understanding of ageism within the healthcare environment by reviewing the impact that ageism has on the delivery of nursing care within the older generation of society. This essay will define ageism, discuss the theories that are relevant to ageism as well as to critically analyze the quality and safety of care that is being provided to this sector of the population. The essay will clearly identify strategies that are of benefit to the older person when addressing ageism within health care.
The definition of ageism is outlined as the concept of discriminating and stereotyping individuals on the basis of their age (Ferguson, 2012). The term ageism was created by Robert Neil in 1969 to explain the
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Age discrimination in health care is primarily hidden and individual rather than institutional (Lievesley, 2012), where statistical evidence demonstrates this relationship with registered nurses and the severity and presence of discrimination towards patients of the older generation. Furthermore, patient outcomes are indirectly affected by ageism (Nelson, 2005). For example, health care workers who are biased towards the elderly often result in a reluctance to trial certain treatments which could benefit the individual along with the dismissal of older patients from clinical trials (Nelson, 2005). It is evident that registered nurses distance themselves from seniors due to feeling powerless to help or the patient might be at the end stage of life (Kane & Kane, 2005). Additionally, it has been found that people of the older generation who suffer a disability, such as a hearing of visual deficit, tend not to choose to receive rehabilitation in order to assist with day-to-day life (Kane & Kane, …show more content…
Education amongst registered nurses and health care workers regarding ageism can be beneficial as Bosak (2016) states that the more educated an individual is, the more resources they have, the more likely of a positive outcome in relation to being healthy both physically and mentally. Education is essential in sculpting nursing practice within the nursing and midwifery board guidelines (2006). In-services and education sessions for health care workers on ageism could be an effective strategy when minimizing ageism within health care . Nursing is a challenging and rewarding profession that is subject to constant changes in health care provision, thus the need for in-service training programs for nurses (Norushe, Strumpher & Rooyen, 2004).
In conclusion it is clear that ageism exists within health care facilities and evidently has the potential to significantly impact upon seniors which notably effects the quality of care delivered by health care workers. However, these issues that were explained and described in this essay can be decreased and furthermore prevented through implementing the correct, relevant and necessary education and communication skills in order to enhance and elaborate knowledge of ageism in the healthcare