Believing in positive ageing.

1. Believing in positive ageing.

2. Recognising and dealing with ageist attitudes Define discrimination. What are some of the reasons for why people might be discriminated against?

3. Discriminating against older people is called ageism. What is ageism? List three examples of discrimination agaisnt an older person?

4. Ageist views can come from anyone such as: Family members who think that the older person can’t make their own choices Personal care workers who do not let clients participate in making decisions about their care. Venue operators who try to discourage older people from attending their venue by not providing wheelchair access Health care workers who assume an older person needs more help than they really.

5. Spotting ageist views Ask yourself: Are they treating the older person fairly? Are they making unfair assumptions about what an older person can do? Would they make the same choice for someone who is not old? Is the older person being treated differently yo others? How should the older person have been treated?

6. Everyone should be treated fairly, even if they are unable to do some things themselves. People should not assume all older people are just the same just because they are old.

7. What can you do about ageism? Firstly, see it when it happens. Then, take action. Don’t just ignore it. You should talk with the person and explain that what they are doing is wrong. Show them a different way to behave towards older people. You may need help from other people: your supervisor; senior managers; other workers; an older person’s carer; health workers; agencies that work to prevent discrimination against older people; and the police.

8. How can consumers change aged care services? Consumers can change the way services are run by making choices and by saying what they think about the service provided. People who are paying for aged care services expect the services to meet their needs. They expect to have choices about the type of accommodation, support services, food, activities and/or outings offered.

9. Consumers have the freedom/right to: Choose another service, if they are not happy with aspects of the service- staff, how it is run, needs not being met, etc. Ask for change-the views of older people should be listened to and acted upon.

10. Seeing older people as individuals Older people age in different ways. You need to think about the abilities of each client and understand the limits of their abilities. Complete Practice Task about Mr Fry and Mrs Touliki

11. When you are working, you should: Learn the name of each older person you work with Learn about the needs of each older person you work with Learn about the likes/dislikes of each older person you work with Know that people change Talk to other team members or your supervisor about problems.

12. By doing this you will do your job better and treat each clients as an individual. Complete Practice Task about Mrs Blanchill

13. Allow for individual differences There are many ways you can change what you do to allow for differences between people. Table on “How you can change your support”

14. Reducing false beliefs about older people Many people have false beliefs about older people. When you are working, you need to think about these beliefs and do your best to help others learn more about older people.

15. Avoiding stereotypes A stereotype is a belief or idea about a person or a group of people that may or may not be true. Stereotypes are created over time. Sometimes the media creates stereotypes by depicting a group of people (such as single mothers or older people) the same way all the time. If the media depicts a particular group of people behaving badly all the time, then some people might believe that all people

16. Example Older people are all like my grandma. They are sweet and kind. They always have cakes and biscuits to eat. They like cuddles. They are always home when you visit. They wear dresses with flowers on them. They can’t hear very well. They love talking about the past.

17. Changing stereotyping and myths about older people The way you do your job can help change stereotypes and myths about older people. If you set yourself as an example, other people may follow your lead. They may start to think in the same way. Try to notice when someone around you believes in a stereotype or myth, tlak to them about this and explain that all older people are not the same.

18. Help them think in a different way, show them what different people can do, and share information about the different needs of different older people.