Social services operate ‘ageist’ policies

Many social services departments operate ‘ageist’ policies by
limiting the amount they spend on care packages for certain age
groups, according to a new report, writes Craig
Kenny.

Health policy thinktank The King’s Fund, also found that it is
common practice for authorities to have a system of automatic
review when any package of care reaches a ‘trigger’ level of
cost.

For example, as residential care for older people is cheaper
than for younger people with disabilities, older people are more
likely to be pressured into accepting it, the report said.

“Residential care was too often seen as the best option on cost
criteria rather than on the basis of individual needs and
preferences,” said author Ros Levenson.

A separate study from researchers at Brighton University
suggests that discrimination can be seen in the lack of residential
care for older people with mental health problems, which is
expensive.

Ageist attitudes in individuals included assuming that all older
people’s needs are the same, that they cannot participate in
decision,s and that they are less valuable members of society.

‘Auditing Age Discrimination: A practical approach to promoting
equality in health and social care’, by Ros Levenson from www.kingsfundbookshop.org.uk