Perception and Ageism

Cancer and ageism

The number of cancer cases being diagnosed is increasing. The single most important risk factor for the development of cancer is ageing. Improvements in cancer care over recent decades are substantial, however improvements in five year survival rates are less pronounced in elderly patients [1]. Do the association of cancer and ageing and the care for elderly cancer patients receive the attentio...

Aging and Ageism

Last year, I published a paper investigating ageism in US and Canadian samples, aged 40-72 years [1]. Results revealed two interesting (yet troubling) results. First, Ageism Survey scores increased as scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF) increased for both samples. That is, those experiencing an ageism event once or more than once reported greater GDS-SF scores. Second, ...

Doctors and ageism.

Ageism, defined as "discrimination against the old on the grounds of their being old,"' emerged as a concept in the United States in the 1960s and promptly joined racism and sexism in the rogues' gallery of social attitudes unacceptable to pressure groups. The Grey Panthers, having found their demon, fought it with commendable zeal and effect. People, it seemed, could be made to feel uncomforta...

Perception of ageism and self-esteem among Lebanese elders at home and abroad.

BACKGROUND Discrimination against old age leads to depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem. This issue is not studied in the Lebanese society where a demographic transition is taking place and the population is aging. We assess the perception of age discrimination among Lebanese and its relation to self-esteem. METHODS We interviewed a convenience sample of 320 Lebanese elders (mean age 69....

In defence of ageism.