Ageing Biases in Healthcare: Reflection and Discussion

Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENT
NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Introduction:
The advancement of science and technology has assured mankind a longer life span
but unfortunately with the curse of prejudice and discrimination. Old age patients who belong
to the age group of 60 years and above are treated unfairly not only by the society pertaining
to their deteriorating physical fitness and unemployment but also by the healthcare
professionals who are ironically responsible for providing care to them. This essay would
present a reflection on the discussion post and how it has affected my scope of practice. The
further sections would present a discussion on the ageing biases prevalent within the
healthcare sector with a proposed education plan to address the biases and perpetuate a
healthy care environment for the senior adults.

2NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Part 1: Reflection
Caring for elderly patients is extremely challenging. This is majorly on account of the
complex nature of the chronic illness that the old age patients are affected with. Also, senior
adults are vulnerable and are easily susceptible to infections, injuries, poor mental health and
falls and accidents (Hall et al., 2015). Therefore, in accordance to my perspective, caring for
elderly patients should not merely remain restricted to the provision of care to facilitate
recovery from illness. The primary focus should rather comprise of imparting a holistic care
which relies upon the provision of complete physical and mental wellness and also heavily
emphasises upon the maintenance of a safe and secure environment (Kagan & Melendez,
2015). On critically reflecting upon the discussion post, I have realized that the advancing old
age marks the onset of a disturbed thought process that harbours feeling of depression and
anxiety. According to Kydd and Fleming (2015), it has been stated that the advancing old age
is overburdened with feelings of insecurity pertaining to the arrival of the terminal stage of
life. These feelings lead to depression and anxiety which in turn results in disorientation, poor
memory retention power, slow response and impaired ability to take appropriate decisions
(Kydd & Fleming, 2015). Further, symptoms of disorientation to person, place and time
makes it extremely challenging to care for the patients as they might unknowingly localise to
different wards and in the process might even accidentally hurt themselves. Also, while
caring for the elderly patients, it is pivotal to ensure a culturally safe care delivery and
prioritize the comfort zone of the patients (Kabatova et al., 2015). As a care professional,
working within the geriatric unit I ensure that the patients I deal with are comfortable within
the hospital environment and do not feel ill-treated based upon their cultural or religious
preferences. For instance, I remember one incident, where I was supposed to conduct an
abdominal assessment of a 65 year old Aboriginal male. While educating the patient about