Age discrimination not only hurts nurses. It hurts patients. Ageism against nurses impedes a healthcare organization’s ability to deliver quality care, while ageism against older patients can easily interfere with the ability to deliver proper patient care and assessments.
Ageism Against Older Nurses Compromises Patient Care
Older nurses play a vital role in healthcare delivery. In fact, their knowledge and experience often mean they have superior judgment when it comes to patient care. Having nurses of diverse ages allows for the formation of critical mentoring relationships. Older nurses help teach less experienced nurses the ins and outs of the job and train them invaluable skills that benefit patients. Too much responsibility on the shoulders of novice nurses not only creates burnout; it results in preventable mistakes. The collective knowledge and support of older nurses helps provide invaluable guidance. It also maintains balance in the work environment.Ageist Attitudes Impede Quality Care
Ageist attitudes and stereotypes can affect both the quality and quantity of care older patients receive, which can negatively impact their health. Evidence suggests that many clinical decisions made about older patients are biased. For example, studies have found older patients are less likely to get the same care as younger patients in areas that include the following:- Getting referred for surgery (even in cases when recovery outcomes aren’t age-dependent)
- Being treated according to treatment guidelines
- Receiving standard diagnostics
- Relate to patients with more detachment
- Use a patronizing tone with patients
- Forego patient consultations
- Have low expectations for patient rehabilitation
