Bring healthcare up to speed
We live in a world where the gap between being middle aged and elderly is far less distinct than in previous generations. Despite this elderly people are
often stereotyped in a negative way. Stereotyping leads to negative expectations of aging both in the person who is growing older and the younger people
around them. It need not be this way and institutional practices can help by directing their attention to themselves.
How services can empower elders
A Move away from the existing disease based approach to a wellness based perspective focusing on empowerment and preserving independence.
Create community based systems that integrate the professions. In this context hospitals become one point in the system rather than the main setting
for older adult care.
Shift the focus from the clinician toward empowering the individual and train clinicians in a more rounded fashion where they appreciate more of the psychosocial and family perspectives and advocate on behalf of elders.
Create interdisciplinary courses in universities to help prepare the next generation of health care providers.
Link healthcare with advanced technology to improve communication, safety and independence.
Promote the issue of aging to our ill informed educational and media systems.
Where institutional care must exist, integrate familiar things e.g. Coke and MacDonalds.
Create a climate where the priority is to keep the elderly out of institutions. Furthermore, find ways in which society might capitalize on the
wisdom of the elderly.
Remove the authority of legislation from politicians who have no expertise on aging.
Inform legislators about the challenges of an aging and ever expanding population.
Adapted from Nussbaum P. 1997 Chapter 1 Handbook of Neuropsychology and Aging. Plenum.
