Ageism in Health Care is More Common Than You Might Think

A new article by NPR highlights a recent study revealing that older individuals spend an average of 21 days per year on medical appointments. The focus is on ageism in healthcare, citing instances where healthcare workers speak loudly to older patients or direct their attention to family members instead of the patients themselves.

Dr. Louise Aronson, a geriatrician, emphasizes the prevalence of ageism in healthcare settings and its impact on both overtreatment and undertreatment of older adults. The lack of education on older bodies and minds in medical training is identified as a contributing factor. Ageism is linked to negative health outcomes, including cognitive decline and depression, with associated costs estimated at $63 billion per year. Efforts, such as anti-ageism training and Age-Friendly Health Systems initiatives, aim to combat ageism in healthcare. Read the article by NRP here.