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Mansoura University
Faculty of Nursing
Master program
Gerontological nursing course
2011-2012

Attitudes Toward Aging

:-Under supervision
.Prof Dr. Somaya El shazly
Dr. Soad Hassan.

:Prepared by
Moustafa Tag EL-Melook Saad

 Introduction.
 Definition of attitude.
 Attitude of the elder .
 Attitude of the children.
 Attitude of the nurse.
 Components of attitude.
 Factors affecting attitude toward elder.
 Negative attitude toward elders.
 Consequences of ageism.
 Role of the nurse to combat ageism.

 Attitudes toward aging are influenced by
expected life span, economic conditions,
social expectations, media, arts, and
literature of the time.

 Ageist attitudes may be excessively positive
or negative, depending on one's tendency to
stereotype individuals based on their age.

Definition
Attitude is a complex mental state involving
beliefs, feelings, values and dispositions to act in
certain ways.
Or, a way of looking at life; a way of thinking,
feeling or behaving.

Attitudes of elders
Attitudes of the aged toward other elders are
often more rejecting than those of younger
persons.

 Children are able to interact with old persons
and feel comfortable with them in direct
proportion to their frequency of contact.

 Those who see elders frequently are more
aware of the reality of aging persons.

 Closeness with grandparent is highly correlated
with attitudes young people hold toward older
persons.

 Few students or professional set out early
on to be gerontology specialists. They
enter the field most often by accident, by
job opportunity, or through a revered
mentor.

 Often, in nursing, an early experience of a
student caring for a physically debilitated
or dependent elder was the impression that
fostered an interest in the field.

 Affective component: it consists of the kind of
feeling about an object.

 Cognitive component: it consists of a set of
beliefs about an object.

 Behavioral component: it consists of an
intention to act in particular way with respect to
a particular object.

 Social and cultural  Exposure to positive
background. role model of aging.
 Sex.  Characteristics of the
 Level of education. residents such as
functional and
 Area of practice.
sensory deficits.
 Interest in working  Myths (perpetuating
with the elders.
false information,
 Years of experience. negative images about
 Type of care facility. elders).
 Influence of mass
media.

 Ageism: Old age is viewed negatively,
thus elders are considered a subject of
jokes.

 Ageism has negative consequences
not only on elders, but on individuals,
families, groups and community
levels .

 Not valuing the opinions, contributions and ideas of the
elders.
 Treating the elders with disrespect.
 Physical care, verbal and nonverbal behaviors exhibited
toward them are colored by the beliefs held about them.
 Ageism can lower or destroy the self-esteem of elders.
 Limit the degree to which elder’s problems are worked
up and managed by health professionals.
 The elders become dependent and unacceptable.
 Lead to a variety of abusive behaviors about elders.

 Identify and eliminate personal attitudes
of ageism by understanding the realities of
aging and identifying common
misconceptions through contact with
individuals, families and community.

 Help in disseminating accurate
information about the needs and
characteristics of the aging populations
through mass media.

 Nurses who work with elders should act as
role models for staff and advocate for the
rights of elders.

 Providing advice and educating the elders and family
about aging process and disabilities associated with
aging.

 Nurses can refer others to agencies that can provide
accurate and current information on aging.

 Informing the family about the importance of
involving them in every aspect of their life as this
will provide support, show respect and loving.

 Educating the staff about common changes
associated with aging, misconceptions and realities
of aging.

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