One of the most common manifestations of ageism in health care is the assumption that aging naturally entails physical and cognitive decline. Health professionals may overlook treatable conditions by attributing symptoms to “just old age.” Communication styles between health care providers and patients are another way that ageism occurs in health care. Communication can reflect a provider’s personal ageist attitude and continue to perpetuate ageism in health care. For example, providers may speak more to family members than to the patients themselves, making assumptions that they are unable to participate in decisions about their care or speaking in a patronizing way that assumes that patients can’t understand what the providers are saying.
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) supports evidence-informed practice and education to eliminate ageism in health care, ensuring that people of all ages receive the same high standard of care grounded in respect, empathy, and clinical excellence. To support these efforts, GSA promotes an education-first approach to addressing ageism in health care by equipping health care students, professionals, educators, and system leaders with knowledge, tools, and strategies that center on age equity when delivering health care.