The Curse of Old Age, an Evaluation of Current Medical Discrimination Based on Age and Future Directions in Resolving Ageism

Abstract

Ageism refers to the discrimination or bias held against people because of their age regardless of context. This phenomenon has been especially rampant in the medical context. Older patients past the age of 50 tend to receive less attention and care during their time at the hospital, both during diagnosis and prognosis. Aside from some general biased ideas, one of the most common factors influencing the degree of ageism experienced by people in a specific region is culture. Some cultures have high reverence for people older in age, while other cultures frantically praise youth and spurn the elderly. This has expanded beyond the medical context during Covid times, onto social media and into daily life, which have been damaging older adults’ mental and physical health. The mind and body are connected, which means an unhealthy mental state can have an effect on the person’s body. For example, anxiety can increase the chances of depression and insomnia. This anxiety is the result of both exterior and interior factors. In order to untangle this complicated web of culture, anxiety, discrimination, and self-awareness, this paper will outline and evaluate current circumstances of ageism, collect data from the Port Hope community in Ontario, Canada to investigate further, and eventually propose an evidence-based strategy and future directions.