How to Deal With Ageism From Doctors and Nurses [nextavenue.org]

Karen Clemmer 12/10/2112:13 PM

By Judith Graham, Photo: Jeanette Leardi, NextAvenue, December 8, 2021

The doctor is talking to the daughter who has accompanied you to a medical appointment, not you. A nurse speaks slowly in an unnaturally high-pitched voice, as if you were a child needing instruction.

What can you do about manifestations of ageism like these – the devaluing, diminishment or dismissal of older adults based on prejudice against old age?

Mostly, people don't know how to respond.

Some stiffen but say nothing. Others speak up but try not to be overly confrontational. And some, like Doris Morgan, 85, a retired scientist who lives in Shepherdstown, W.Va., simply walk away from doctors and nurses who don't treat them as they'd like.

[Please click here to read more.]

Add Comment

Comments (0)

<ul id="{%=id%}ButtonGroup" class="button-group h-popup-buttons even-button-group even-1">
    <li id="{%=id%}Okay_buttonContainer"><a id="{%=id%}Okay" href="javascript:void(0);" class="button success no-margin-bottom h-alert-modal-ok-button" role="button">OK</a><script type="text/javascript">
        (function() {
            function {%=id%}Okay_click(event, data) {
            {%=id%}Popup.hide();
        }
        
                $('#{%=id%}Okay').on('click', {%=id%}Okay_click);
        })();
    </script></li></ul><a href="javascript:void(0);" class="close-reveal-modal" aria-label="Close Modal">&#215;</a><div class="last-modal-focus focus-utility-element" tabindex="0"></div>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
        (function() {
            {%=id%}Popup = new SS.Popup.ModalPopup('{%=id%}');
        })();
    </script>

Skip to main content

Add Comment

Membership Required

Remove From Your Block List

Manage Follow Preferences

Block

Please wait...