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Age discrimination attitudes of Turkish primary caregivers of older adults: A Descriptive cross-sectional study

Semiha Akin, Aydan Akkurt Yalcinturk, Gizem Kubat Bakir, Musa Salmanoglu

Abstract


Background: Age discrimination is a social offshoot of the problems faced by aging people. Age discrimination encompasses positive as well as the negative attitudes. The views on aging and advanced age of primary caregivers of older adults can bias their knowledge and experiences about this age group.

Objective: This study was conducted with the primary caregivers of older adults residing in the palliative care department of a hospital affiliated with a state university in Turkey. The intention was to evaluate these individuals’ attitudes to age discrimination.

Methods: This study involved descriptive cross-sectional research. The sample comprised 162 primary caregivers. The data were collected using the Age Discrimination Attitude Scale. Nearly 75% of the primary caregivers (74.7%) were women. The mean age of the caregivers was 49.85 ± 7.79 years. The scale score indicated that the caregivers’ attitudes toward older adults were positive (84.46 ± 11.87). Unmarried and male caregivers, and caregivers taking care of more than one chronically ill older adult had a more negative attitude compared with married caregivers (p < 0.05). Economic, physical, and social hardships resulted in a more negative attitude. 

Conclusion: These results can shed light on improving the quality of care provided to the elderly. Nurses bear an important responsibility in terms of raising awareness in the community about older adults and the aging process. Besides their role as caregivers, nurses provide training and counseling services. It is crucial to understand the age discrimination attitudes of primary caregivers of aging adults to improve the quality of care provided to them. These results can shed light on improving the quality of care provided to the elderly.


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References


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