Psychologists at the University have found that perceptions of ageing can mean older people being subjected to prejudice.
Their findings were contained in a new report that warns that the UK’s fragmented health and social care system is failing older patients.
Produced by the British Medical Association (BMA) and entitled Growing older in the UK, the report highlights the increasing demand and inadequate resources facing the UK’s health and social care system.
The Kent team from its School of Psychology – Dr Hannah Swift, Professor Dominic Abrams and Lisbeth Drury – found that perceptions of ageing can mean that older people are subjected to ‘patronising forms of prejudice’, which can be expressed in the language and tone used to communicate with them.
They warn that health care professionals and organisations should be ‘more aware’ that older individuals are potentially vulnerable to age prejudice and stereotyping processes.
And they recommend that health care agencies could benefit ‘much more deliberate questioning of age-based assumptions’ and how ‘attitudes interact with policies, structures and practice’.
The overall report, which included five other briefing papers, calls for more to be done to support and improve people’s health and wellbeing in the UK as they grow older, including action to tackle the social isolation and maximise the participation of older people.
Other recommendations include a focus on tackling the under-diagnosis and under-treatment of mental health conditions in older adults and the development of a ‘carer friendly health service’, whereby carers are identified, provided with adequate information and advice, and their expertise listened to and respected.