Attitudes And Prejudices Towards Old Age. The Importance Of Their Analysis To Improve Life Quality Of The Older Adults

HERMIDA, P.D.; OFMAN, S.D.; TARTAGLINI, M.F.; IRRAZABAL, N.; FELDBERG, C.

Chicago

Conferencia; AAIC Advancements: Exploring Equity in Diagnosis; 2024

Alzheimer's Association

Background: Ageism is the term used to refer to prejudices and negative attitudes towards old age. This bias is based on stereotypes that link older people with adverse characteristics associated with lack of motivation, deterioration, uselessness and inactivity. High levels of ageism in older adults are related to depression, anxiety, lower resilience in the face of adverse events, decreased memory, feelings of loneliness and poorer physical health. For this reason, it is important to analyze the presence of prejudice towards old age in older adults.Objective: To analyze stereotypes towards old age in a group of self-sufficient older adults, residents of the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (AMBA), Argentine Republic. Method: Design: descriptive cross-sectional study. Sample: 145 independent adults, over 60 years old, living in AMBA. Instruments: a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Questionnaire of Old Age Stereotypes (CENVE), which provides a total score, made up of three dimensions: health, motivation and character.Results: Low levels of stereotypes towards old age were found on most participants (78%). Analyzing the dimensions of the instrument, it is observed that higher levels of stereotypes were present in the health dimension (39%), while lower levels were found in the motivational dimension (24%).Discussion: The results are encouraging since the older adults who made up the sample mostly present low levels of stereotypes towards old age. Previous studies have shown that positive self-perceptions of aging would be associated with better levels of physical, mental, and social well-being and greater longevity. However, it should be noted that among the results obtained for the dimensions that make up the phenomenon, the health area is the most affected. Taking into account that, at an individual level, prejudices can act as self-fulfilling prophecies, it is essential to consider the possible consequences of these findings in the dimension linked to the psychophysical deterioration. Thus the present work provides valuable elements for professional practice in order to consider appropriate interventions to eliminate this type of prejudice. The development of public policies that work on the reflection and reduction of these negative attitudes will be vital to promote a better quality of life.