How to Draw on Narrative to Mitigate Ageism.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Medical Ethics
• Healthcare Disparities

Background:

• Ageism is deeply embedded in US healthcare systems, often overlooked by clinicians.
• This systemic bias negatively impacts the medical care and overall well-being of older adults.
• Clinicians may lack the time or motivation to consider older adults' perspectives, particularly those with mental illness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a narrative-based ethical approach to address ageism in clinical practice.
• To shift clinicians' perceptions of older adults from passive recipients of inevitable aging to individuals with needs for dignity and growth.
• To highlight the potential for personal growth and continued development in older populations.

Main Methods:

• This is a commentary on a case study.
• It proposes a narrative-based ethical framework.
• The approach aims to reframe the perception of aging and older adults' experiences.

Main Results:

• Clinicians may inadvertently infantilize older adults.
• Preferences, values, and growth potential of older adults can be dismissed or pathologized.
• A narrative-based ethical approach can foster a more person-centered view.

Conclusions:

• Addressing ageism requires a conscious shift in clinical perception.
• Older adults require dignity and opportunities for continued personal growth, not just management of age-related decline.
• Ethical frameworks can help clinicians recognize and counteract ageist assumptions in healthcare settings.