Ageism can get in the way of good care for participants

Ageism affects people of all ages, but according to the Australian Human Rights
Commission (AHRC), older adults are particularly vulnerable when it comes to
accessing good healthcare. According to the latest AHRC Report, older
Australians say they often feel “dismissed, excluded, and stereotyped” in
healthcare settings.

Ageism is often described as "insidious," meaning it gradually builds over time.
Subtle forms of ageism - the "little things" - can erode a person's confidence,
sense of self, and self-esteem. This may include the use of ageist language, a
patronising tone of voice, or directing the discussion to family members instead
of the older person themselves.

More harmful forms of ageism include exclusion, having others make decisions
on their behalf, controlling behaviour, and even elder abuse. Ageism can
significantly impact a person's health and well-being, potentially leading to
important aspects of their care being overlooked or delayed. Additionally, for
older people with cultural, language, or other diverse needs, overcoming
barriers to good care can be even more challenging.

You have a right to be listened to and respected in discussions about your
needs, so being mindful of how others are conducting themselves around you is
the first step toward ensuring you remain at the centre of your care.

As your Registered Provider, we genuinely hope you feel valued, seen, and
heard in your interactions with us and any workers involved in delivering
services to you. If this is not your experience, please let us know so we can
improve our practices and interactions to better meet your expectations.
We can also assist you in accessing advocacy services if you would like help to
represent yourself in certain settings related to your care and support needs.

You can download the report titled “The Age Barrier: Older Adults’ Experiences
of Ageism in Healthcare” at the following link: