Combating Ageism in Health Care

By Ghita Worcester and Dr. Rajean Moone, Published October 29, 2022

Ageism in health care has a serious impact on the health and well-being of seniors. But by identifying where this discrimination happens and putting in place programs and policies to combat it, we can help retirees get the personalized, respectful care they deserve, wherever they are on their journey.

We remember an episode of “The Golden Girls” from the late 1980s in which one character’s chronic health concern was dismissed by her doctor because she was old (and a woman). That aired over 30 years ago — and people still face the same issue.

With many people living longer and healthier lives, seniors fall along an enormous spectrum in terms of health, self-sufficiency and needs. But too often they also suffer the effects of ageism — systematic stereotyping and discrimination that can impact well-being.

It may be a dismissiveness about health concerns — “Of course you ache, you’re older.” Or a doctor will assume all older people are slowing down — but for someone still feeling vibrant, what they need is help staying that way, and advice to the contrary can have a negative effect.

Ageism, like other forms of institutional discrimination, can also be experienced when the unique needs of a population are disregarded. This can range from clinics that aren’t easily accessible, to health care workers not trained to work with patients who may be hard of hearing, have vision problems or suffer from cognitive decline.

As a leader at UCare and a leading researcher in ageism and healthy aging, we are finding sources of ageism and taking steps to address them. One example: medical schools offer excellent senior care training, but few students take those courses.

To address this, we are leading education and workshops for UCare workers and the physicians and providers who see UCare members to help them identify where ageism exists and make changes to reduce it.

We are learning that ageism has a more severe impact on communities that already suffer health effects from discrimination, including BIPOC and LGBTQ communities. We are focusing on supporting those groups.

Rural populations likewise experience increased effects from ageism, due to older average populations and fewer and less accessible resources. UCare is a partner in a pilot grant program, Connected Communities, that is funding two rural communities’ efforts to become more age-friendly. We hope to learn best practices others can employ.

All people should feel empowered to take their aging journey on their own terms. UCare members can consider participating in:

1. One Pass fitness membership or health club reimbursement make it easier to stay active
2. Community education class discounts to help seniors stay engaged
3. Senior Companion Services through Lutheran Social Services, which pairs volunteers with seniors who can benefit from companionship (seniors can be both volunteers and beneficiaries)
4. Papa Pals, a social support network to help seniors remain connected and manage needs, especially for traditionally underserved populations and veterans
5. Alter Dementia, which helps faith communities adapt to serve and welcome seniors with cognitive issues

We are pragmatic optimists when it comes to fighting ageism. We are excited by the progress that has been made. Minnesota now has more than 1 million seniors, and we have been helping the state with its Age-Friendly Minnesota program, which provides grants to meet the needs of older citizens.

We must work together as researchers, health plans, care providers and citizens to fight against ageism. Only then will we be able to approach this journey on our own terms and age magnificently, whatever that means to each one of us!

Learn about UCare Medicare Plans