ros levenson december 10 2013. my core assumptions age discrimination is a key human rights issue...
TRANSCRIPT
Ros LevensonDecember 10 2013
My core assumptions
Age discrimination is a key human rights issue
Ageism is still widespread in health and social care
Age discrimination is integrally related to ageism
Tackling age discrimination cannot be wholly separated from tackling the quality of older people’s services generally
Age discrimination does not occur in a vacuum
Undignified care of older people does not happen in a vacuum; it is rooted in the discrimination and neglect evident towards older people in British society. Age discrimination is the most common form of discrimination in the UK.Delivering Dignity. Local Government Association, NHS Federation, Age UK. 2012.
Why age discrimination matters
Ethical caseBusiness caseProfessional responsibilitiesLegal case
Ethical caseEthical and human rights arguments
seem obvious, but they don't seem to be persuasive
Many examples where older people’s rights, wellbeing and dignity are breached
Is being old a risk factor for substandard care?
Business casePoor care can cost more – readmissions,
longer stays etcCost of complaints and enquiriesCost of Francis Enquiry: £13 million
Professional responsibilitiesHealthcare professions require non-
discriminatory conductSome professionals are taking a keen interest
in developing non-discriminatory services
The legal caseAge discrimination legislation is a
great opportunity to forge ahead with tackling the problem of age discrimination in health and social care
Age discrimination legislation focuses minds
It is not a magic solution
So what needs to be done?Auditing age discriminationChanging attitudes / challenging ageismService redesign – empowering older people
and staffEducation and training
Moving forward Be explicit about the priorities for changeMake clear recommendations for change
(solutions, not just problems)Small changes now, as part of a longer term
strategyBuild on sustainable, incremental improvementsEmpower staff and older people to make changesIdentify key people who can take action and be
allies in making change happenBe clear that tackling age discrimination is an
ongoing process, not a one-off eventLearn from the experience of others
We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don’t let yourself be lulled into inaction.
Bill Gates The Road Ahead, Penguin Books. 1995