Current Status of Ageism in Long-term Care Institutions – A Study in Nursing Home and Senior Citizens’ Welfare Institutions in Taichung City

Abstract

Objectives: “Ageism” is the third largest discrimination after racism and sexism discrimination. Negative perceptions, attitudes and behaviors will affect the physical, psychological, and social development of the elderly. If the staff members have ageism, they may cause physical and mental harm to the elderly, or even treat them unfairly, which will bring greater negative effects. This study aims to explore ageism and its impact factors among the nursing staff in long-term care institutions.

Methods: This study is a cross-sectional research which was conducted in nursing home and senior citizens’ welfare institutions in Taichung City. A questionnaire developed from Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA) was used. A total of 103 questionnaires were distributed, and 98 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 95.1%. The statistical method was SPSS version 25.0 for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.

Results: This study found that nursing staff who had taken courses related to elderly care were less likely to have ageism (p < .01). There is anegative correlation between the length of time living with the elderly and the total ageism score [r (-.21), p= .041], which means that the longer a person lives with the elderly, the lower his/her ageism score.

Conclusions: Nursing staff in long-term care institutions are required to take education courses in geriatric care during school. On-the-job education planning should also incorporate issues related to ageism to cultivate and develop the right attitude towards the elderly, thereby improving the quality of life of the elderly in long-term care institutions.