Attitudes Towards Aging Practice Flashcards

Practice flashcards based on the 'Attitudes Towards Aging' lecture by Mary Ellen Ross, covering the definitions, statistics, and impacts of ageism and gerontophobia in healthcare and society.

According to Wold ($1993$), what are attitudes towards aging considered a product of?

knowledge and values

Besides life experiences, what factor strongly affects a person's view about aging and the elderly?

current age

How is American society described regarding its orientation towards age?

very youth oriented

What is the definition of stereotyping as provided in the lecture?

The application of limited knowledge of a race, ethnicity, age, or culture to an individual.

What is the result when stereotypes are used to describe a person or group?

The identification of the heterogeneity within the person or group is not recognized.

What are two specific terms listed for definition in the lecture regarding negative attitudes toward aging?

Gerontophobia and Ageism

What effect does ageism have on the self-perception of an older adult?

Decreases self-esteem

In terms of social behavior, what may ageism result in for an older person?

self-fulfilling prophecy

How does ageism influence the social environment of an elder?

fosters social isolation or dependence

What impact does ageism have on the employment of older adults?

Decreases opportunity for elder employment

What two areas of healthcare are not treated as a priority due to the impact of ageism?

Rehabilitation and health education

What interpersonal qualities are often lacking in providers due to the impact of ageism?

empathy and patience, disrespect

How does ageism affect nurses and other health care providers working in long term care?

Decreased compensation and respect

Which sector is projected to be the fastest growing employment sector in health care?

Eldercare

According to the IOM ($2008$), what is the status of healthcare workers interested in caring for older people?

The number remains low despite high demand.

According to the American Geriatrics Society ($2018$), what percentage of RNs are certified in geriatrics?

Less than $1\%$

What percentage of advanced practice nurses (APNs) are certified in geriatrics according to the AGS ($2018$)?

$$3\%$$

Approximately how many geriatricians were there in $2018$?

$$7,300$$

What is the approximate ratio of geriatricians to older adults in the US as of $2018$?

$1$ for every $2,546$ older adult

Which professions besides nursing and medicine are experiencing shortages in elder care?

social work, physical therapy, and psychiatry

What systemic change is needed to address the financial disincentive to choose geriatrics?

restructuring of the reimbursement system

By $2040$, what is the projected number of older adults in the world?

at least $1.3$ billion

How will the increase in the older adult population compare to other age groups by $2040$?

The increase will far out pace growth in other age groups.

What are two methods suggested to decrease gerontophobia?

Increase education about older adults and participate in intergenerational programs.

What are three lessons learned from intergenerational programs between younger and older people?

Older adults were once young, elders have some of the same dreams and hopes, and elders have much to offer the younger generation.

To avoid infantilizing older adults, what specific communication style should nurses avoid?

elder speak or baby talk and name calling

What should nurses be aware of to avoid stereotyping the elderly?

older adults are a heterogeneous group

In their role as advocates, what specific health outcomes should nurses encourage for older adults?

rehabilitation and independence