Kaiser Health News/JAHF Event Recording: Confronting Ageism in Health Care - A Conversation for Patients, Caregivers and Clinicians
Kaiser Health News (KHN) and The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) held an interactive web event October 21, "Confronting Ageism in Health Care: A Conversation for Patients, Caregivers and Clinicians."
The covid pandemic has provided more visibility for longstanding ageist attitudes and practices that run through the health care system, at times undermining the care and well-being of older adults in this country. KFF’s KHN and JAHF web event on ageism in health care was a frank, practical and empowering conversation about this pervasive, systemic problem of bias, discrimination or stereotyping based on age.
Judith Graham, Navigating Aging columnist for KHN, moderated a panel of experts who offered their guidance and insights on how can we identify ageism in health care settings – and address it. Rani Snyder, Vice President, Program at JAHF made introductory remarks.
Panelists included:
- Dr. Louise Aronson, a geriatrician, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and author of “Elderhood.”
- Dr. Michael Wasserman, a geriatrician, advocate for vulnerable older adults through the Covid-19 pandemic, and leader of the public policy committee of the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine.
- Dr. Javette Orgain, a family physician, medical director for Longevity Health Plan of Illinois, which serves nursing home residents. Former president of the National Medical Association, which represents African American physicians and their patients, and former dean of University of Illinois College of Medicine Urban Health Program.
- Dr. Rebecca Elon, a geriatrician and current caregiver for her mother, who has dementia, and husband, who passed away during the pandemic.
- Jess Mauer, a lawyer and co-chair of the Maine Council on Aging, which promotes an anti-ageism pledge.
A John A. Hartford Foundation grant supports KHN's Aging & Improving Care of Older Adults coverage.
To watch the recording, click here.
To read a related CNN Health article by Judith Graham, Seniors Decry Age Bias, Say They Feel Devalued When Interacting with Health Care Providers, click here.