3.3: Attitudes Towards Aging

Ideas about the elderly are often based upon stereotypes and depictions of older adults in the media. Older people are often shown to be helpless, forgetful, slow, have dementia, to be incontinent (unable to hold their bladder), unable to live on their own, and to be unable to engage in physical inactivity. In actuality, research shows that the majority of older people are active and very involved in life activities.

In the media, elderly people are often referred to as “cute” with younger people calling them “honey”, “dear” and “sweetheart.” These terms are often condescending and should never be used to refer to an elderly patient. Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides should always address their patient with their last name and title, such as Mr. or Mrs., unless they request otherwise. Speak with elderly patients with respect and allow them to make their own decisions and choices as much as possible. Do not treat them like a child. Just because they may be dependent on others for their care as a child is does not mean they are children. It just means they need a little extra help.

Magazine and television advertisements focus on youth and often equate it with beauty. Numerous products advertising their use will result in a more youthful appearance or help a person live longer is nearly an obsession in many cultures (US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health on Aging, 2011).

This leaves the impression that young=beautiful and good, while old=ugly and bad. These stereotypes result in what is called ageism. Racism as we discussed in Module Two is discrimination based on someone‘s race. Ageism is discrimination against someone based on their age. Ageism is harmful to older people and can result in depression, anger, loss of employment, loss of housing, and loss of emotional support.

Self Check Activity \(\PageIndex{1}\)

1. This term means discrimination against someone based on their age.

a). Ageism

b). Racism

c). Sexism

2. This term means discrimination based on someone’s gender.

a). Ageism

b). Racism

c). Sexism

3. Calling elderly people names such as “honey”, “sweetie”, and “dear”, “cutie” can be condescending and shows a lack of respect for the person. True or False. ________

Answer

1. A 2. C 3. True

Feedback:

1. Discrimination based on age is called ageism and is harmful to people.

2. Discrimination based on a person’s gender (male or female) is known as sexism. This is harmful to people.

3. Using words such as “honey” or “dear” to refer to an older person rather than their given or preferred name demonstrates a lack of respect. Health care workers should never do this.[/hidden-answer]

Myths of Aging

According to Mauk (2008), by the year 2030, about 20% (71 million people) of the U.S. population will be over the age of 65. As many of the patients with whom the Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide will be working will be elderly, it is important to learn about the aging process and to avoid engaging in ageism.

Check your stereotypes about the aging process! This activity has been adapted from the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Myths and Stereotypes of Aging booklet, which can be found at:

http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/apd–dd–training/EQC%20Training%20Documents/Myths%20and%20Stereotypes%20of%20Aging.pdf

Self Check Activity \(\PageIndex{2}\)

True or False?

1. The elderly are all alike. True or False. _________

2. Most elderly people are senile or have dementia. True or False. _________

3. The elderly have no worries once they retire as they can enjoy their life. True or False. _________

4. Elderly people no longer desire or have sexual relations. True or False. _________

5. Most elderly people are “set in their ways” and will not change. True or False. _________

6. Elderly people are unproductive and uncreative. True or False. _________

7. The elderly have a difficult time learning and are less intelligent than younger people. True or False. _________

8. Elderly people are grouchy and hard to get along with. True or False. _________

9. Most older people fall from time to time. True or False. _________

10. Most elderly people are incontinent (unable to control their bowels or bladder). True or False. _________

Answer

All of these statements are false

Feedback:

1. As we age, we actually become more different. This is due to our unique life experiences. As is any other age group, the elderly are a diverse group.

2. Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Signs of confusion and changes in mental status in older adults should be looked into immediately. They can be a sign of a urinary tract infection, dehydration, stroke, or medication interaction or side effect. Most elderly people do not have dementia. This is a common stereotype presented in the media.

3. Many elderly people have many worries as they age. They may face poverty, loss of social stature, loss of social connections, health problems, and loss of independence.

4. Sexual desire and relationships do not decrease with age. The media and society often believe that older people should not have sex. This could result in feelings of guilt on the elderly person’s part, which could result in the elderly person not having sexual relations as they might wish. Physical problems could also result in the inability to have sexual relations in the way the elderly person used to, but research shows that the majority of elderly people still desire and continue to have sexual relations.

5. While older people may be slower to change their opinion than younger people, the majority of elderly people are open to change. In fact, they face many changes due to changes in physical health, social connections, death of loved ones, and illnesses.

6. many elderly people continue to be productive members of society. Even though many elderly people have retired, some continue to work in order to meet financial obligations or to continue to remain active. Outside of work, elderly people may volunteer within their community, be involved with their families, and serve as caretaker for grandchildren while their children are at work.

7. All age groups learn at a different rate and in different ways. In fact, older people have intelligence from life experiences that younger generations do not. They can offer valued wisdom based on their own life experiences to others around them. Research shows that while we do lose brain cells, we continue to gain new ones and to build new connections within our brain. The best way to build new brain cells is to remain active and continue learning throughout the lifespan.

8. This is another stereotype often seen in the media. People who tend to be grouchy and have a hard time getting along with others when they were younger will likely continue to do so when they are older. Happiness has nothing to do with aging, and in fact, the later years can be some of the happiest times of people’s lives. They may have more freedoms than they did when they were younger and be more confident and secure in themselves than when they were younger.

9. Although fall risk does increase with age, most elderly people do not fall. If a patient falls, the cause of the fall should be investigated. The fall could be due to an infection, medication side effect, or household hazard.

10. Bladder or bowel incontinence can affect people at any age. While the risk of incontinence does increase as people age because of loss of muscle tone, people of any age can suffer from incontinence. It is a stereotype that all elderly people are incontinent. New onset of incontinence should be investigated right away as it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection, medication side effects or electrolyte imbalances.