Understanding Ageism

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Questions and Answers

What are the three components of ageism as defined by the World Health Organization?

Stereotypes, prejudice, and inclusion

Stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination (correct)

Stereotypes, discrimination, and equality

Prejudice, discrimination, and social justice

What is a consequence of ageism on society?

Increased social cohesion and understanding

Generational conflict and devaluation of contributions (correct)

Enhanced opportunities for education and employment

Improved mental health and well-being

In which domain is ageism particularly prevalent?

Education and housing

Workplace and media

Legal system and banking

All of the above (correct)

What is a health consequence of ageism?

Slower recovery from disability and cognitive decline Signup and view all the answers

How does ageism affect the legal and financial systems?

Leads to arbitrary age-based laws and financial burdens Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of elderspeak?

Slow speech Signup and view all the answers

What is a negative impact of ageism in fitness and health on older individuals?

Negative effects on psychological well-being Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of ageism in the media?

Underrepresentation and negative stereotypes of older adults Signup and view all the answers

According to the World Health Organization's three-pronged approach, what is a key strategy for combating ageism?

Education and intervention Signup and view all the answers

How does ageism affect healthcare decisions?

Age influences treatment decisions, such as ventilator support and surgery Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults?

Isolation of older individuals in facilities, under the guise of 'protection' Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge faced by older women exercisers, according to the content?

Bias of attraction and sexualization during exercise Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of healthcare practitioners' passive or less challenging interventions?

Loss of physical mobility Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an intergenerational contact intervention, according to the content?

Individualized interactions promoting equal status Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of enforcing behavioral change leading to attitude change by reestablishing social norms?

Attitude change Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of using elderspeak when communicating with older adults?

Increased resistance to care Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the PEACE model in combating ageism?

To promote intergenerational interactions and reduce anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge faced by transgender older adults?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of health literacy according to the European Health Literacy Consortium?

The ability to access, understand, appraise, and apply health information Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the test that assesses functional health literacy in adults?

Parker Test Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of collaborative learning in improving health literacy?

Increased social support Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the concept that views life as cyclical and continues into the spirit world?

Indigenous view of aging Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary challenge faced by older adults in rural communities?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the concept that refers to the ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information?

Health literacy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of interventions in promoting healthy aging?

To promote healthy aging through education and community-based initiatives Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the test that rapidly estimates adult literacy in medicine?

REALM Test Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ageism

Definition: Stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination towards individuals or groups based on their age.
Consequences:
- Generational conflict
- Devaluation of contributions from all age groups
- Reduced opportunities for health, longevity, and well-being
Impact on health and society:
- Health and well-being: shorter lifespan, poor physical and mental health, slower recovery from disability, cognitive decline, poor quality of life, and increased risk of social isolation, loneliness, and elder abuse.
- Legal and financial systems: arbitrary age-based laws, financial burdens, and insurance premiums.

Ageism in Health Care

COVID-19 pandemic impact:
- Use of age for triaging and public health laws
- Isolation of older individuals in facilities
Healthcare decisions:
- Age influencing treatment decisions (ventilator support, dialysis, surgery)
- Reduced access to healthcare services
- Exclusion from health intervention research
Elderspeak:
- Characteristics: slow speech, exaggerated tones, elevated pitch and volume, simple vocabulary, and reduced complexity and diminutive language
- Negative impacts: increased resistance to care, feelings of isolation, cognitive decline, and physical therapists' role in promoting mindful verbal communication

Ageism in Fitness and Health

Research by Jen and Harvey (2021):
- Perceptions and misconceptions about physical and mental capacity
- Negative effects on body image and psychological well-being, especially for older women
- Exercise motivation and positive impacts of meaningful physical activity
- Biases towards older exercisers and non-exercisers
Limited adequate opportunities:
- Insufficient exercise recommendations and guidance
- Passive or less challenging interventions by healthcare practitioners
- Identity as "older exerciser" and biases towards older women exercisers

Combating Ageism

World Health Organization's three-pronged approach:
- Policies and laws
- Education and intervention
- Intergenerational contact interventions
Intersection of racism and ageism in healthcare
Anti-discrimination laws in workplaces and enforcement of behavioral change
Education and intergenerational contact:
- Individualized interactions promoting equal status
- Cooperative activities and sharing personal information
- Examples of successful intergenerational interactions: Instagram project, video games, and home share programs

Diversity in Aging

Aging process has different impacts on various groups:
- Gender: socioeconomic effects, employment, labor participation, wages, and pension
- Sexuality: more likely to live alone, compounding risk for mental health and poorer health outcomes, and less access to healthcare and support
- Spatiality: indigenous culture and aging faster with more chronic conditions
- Intersectionality: aging process is impacted by all these factors

Health Literacy

Definition: individuals having the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions
Health literacy allows individuals to find and understand health information, take responsibility for their own health, and make informed decisions
Lack of health literacy:
- Adverse impact on wellness and prevention
- Increase need to access healthcare services
Socioeconomic determinants of health literacy in adults:
- Psychosocial effects on health literacy
- Education
- Race/ethnicity
- Age
- Income
- No differences in gender

Physical Literacy

Definition: motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge/understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activity for life
Association with health literacy: physical literacy is positively associated with health literacy, and predicts physical literacy

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Description

Explore the definition, consequences, and impact of ageism on health and society, including generational conflict, devaluation of contributions, and reduced opportunities for well-being.