Ageism is stereotyping and discriminating against an individual or group based solely on age. Who's at risk for being on the receiving end of ageism? The answer is simple – those who are already categorized as "older adults" or those who are soon-to-be seniors. In other words, most everyone who is reading this post is included in that category.
Ageism has many faces. Examples of ageism in healthcare include:
- Failing to treat potentially reversible conditions by writing then off as "just old age",
- Ordering treatments without thought as to how they may affect mood, cognition, quality of life, function, and independence,
- Not offering potentially beneficial procedures based on age alone, and
- Underestimating an individual's abilities to learn new skills
"A Feasibility Study of Low-Income Homebound Older Adults' Participation in an Online Chronic Disease Self-Management Program" appeared in the April-June 2014 issue of the Home Health Care Services Quarterly, which squarely addresses the last issue called out above head on. The Stanford Chronic Disease Self Management Program was initially found to be effective on people in their mid 50s with 15+ years of education who had chronic conditions like heart failure and diabetes. "Better Choices, Better Health" is the free online version of the initial program. It is a six-week peer led workshop and was found to be effective.
Here is the abstract:
This study explored the feasibility of "Better Choices, Better Health" (BCBH), the online version of Stanford's Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, among 10 low-income homebound older adults with no, or limited computer skills, compared with 10 peers with high computer skills. Computer training was provided at the beginning of the BCBH workshop. All those who initially lacked computer skills were able to participate in BCBH with a few hours of face-to-face demonstration and training. The four-week post intervention follow-up showed significant improvement in health and self-management outcomes. Aging-service agencies need to introduce BCBH to low-income homebound older adults and utilize their volunteer base to provide computer and Internet skills training for low-income homebound older adults in need of such training.
The good news is that technology companies exist with solutions that improve the lives of seniors. Independa, from its inception, has focused on producing elder care enabling technologies that require little or no effort on the part of its users. A premier example is how Independa and LG Electronics have successfully partnered to addressed one of the most challenging problems many seniors face today – social isolation. The unique Independa enabled TV goes well beyond delivering regular TV programming, it provides seniors with a way to stay in touch with their families, friends and care partners using a familiar tool – the TV remote control – and this is only the beginning. With medication and health measurement reminders, Facebook picture and message sharing, live video chat through Skype, mental exercise games, and more, care recipients can stay in contact with their caregivers and loved ones whenever they need, helping them feel connected and more socially active.
Do you know someone who has experienced ageism in healthcare? How have they successfully moved beyond that stereotype? Join the discussion on Facebook and let us know.
By: Dr. Richard Della Penna MD
