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Why age discrimination in health and social care matters – and what we can do about it

This article discusses the issue of age discrimination in health and social care, highlighting its ethical, business, professional, and legal implications. It explores the need for auditing age discrimination, challenging ageism, empowering older people and staff, and the importance of education and training.

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Why age discrimination in health and social care matters – and what we can do about it

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  1. Why age discrimination in health and social care matters – and what we can do about it Ros Levenson December 10 2013

  2. My core assumptions • Age discrimination is a key human rights issue • Ageism is still widespread in health and social care • Age discrimination is integrally related to ageism • Tackling age discrimination cannot be wholly separated from tackling the quality of older people’s services generally

  3. Age discrimination does not occur in a vacuum Undignified care of older people does not happen in a vacuum; it is rooted in the discrimination and neglect evident towards older people in British society. Age discrimination is the most common form of discrimination in the UK. Delivering Dignity. Local Government Association, NHS Federation, Age UK. 2012.

  4. Why age discrimination matters • Ethical case • Business case • Professional responsibilities • Legal case

  5. Ethical case • Ethical and human rights arguments seem obvious, but they don't seem to be persuasive • Many examples where older people’s rights, wellbeing and dignity are breached • Is being old a risk factor for substandard care?

  6. Business case • Poor care can cost more – readmissions, longer stays etc • Cost of complaints and enquiries • Cost of Francis Enquiry: £13 million

  7. Professional responsibilities • Healthcare professions require non-discriminatory conduct • Some professionals are taking a keen interest in developing non-discriminatory services

  8. The legal case • Age discrimination legislation is a great opportunity to forge ahead with tackling the problem of age discrimination in health and social care • Age discrimination legislation focuses minds • It is not a magic solution

  9. So what needs to be done? • Auditing age discrimination • Changing attitudes / challenging ageism • Service redesign – empowering older people and staff • Education and training

  10. Moving forward • Be explicit about the priorities for change • Make clear recommendations for change (solutions, not just problems) • Small changes now, as part of a longer term strategy • Build on sustainable, incremental improvements • Empower staff and older people to make changes • Identify key people who can take action and be allies in making change happen • Be clear that tackling age discrimination is an ongoing process, not a one-off event • Learn from the experience of others

  11. We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don’t let yourself be lulled into inaction. Bill Gates The Road Ahead, Penguin Books. 1995

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