Ageist attitudes among healthcare professionals and older patients in a geriatric rehabilitation facility and their association with patients' satisfaction with care

Abstract

Aim:The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of ageist attitudes among older adults hospitalised in a geriatric rehabilitation facility, as well as the association between satisfaction with care and ageist attitudes. In addition, this study also explores the prevalence of ageist attitudes among healthcare professionals.Background: An ageist environment may potentially increase internalisation of stereotypes by older adults, which in turn may have a negative impact on care outcomes. Methods:In this quantitative correlational study, a questionnaire was completed by 100 older patients hospitalised in a rehabilitation department of a geriatric medical centre located in North-Central Israel, and 87 healthcare professionals working in the same department. Results:The attitudes of older patients towards their peers were neither definitely positive nor definitely negative, as were the attitudes held among healthcare professionals working in the facility. Patients with lower knowledge about old age, women and patients born in former Soviet Republics had more ageist attitudes. Older patients' satisfaction with care was relatively high and was not associated with ageist attitudes towards their peers. Conclusions:Both healthcare professionals and older patients held ageist attitudes to some extent. Certain older patients' sociodemographic characteristics, as well as lower knowledge about old age, have been found associated with more ageist attitudes towards their peers. In contrast, satisfaction with care does not seem to affect older patients' attitudes towards their peers. Healthcare professionals working in a geriatric facility should be aware of the prevalence of ageism among older patients. Implications for practice:The findings highlight the importance of educational interventions among healthcare professionals to increase awareness of the prevalence of ageism among older patients in a geriatric setting. K E Y W O R D Sageism, attitudes, geriatric rehabilitation, nurses, patients, satisfaction with care

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