Older people suffer ageism within the health and social services system, a report by the National Council on Ageing and Older People says.
The study, Perceptions of Ageism in Health and Social Services, claims older people have problems accessing services and facilities and face discriminatory attitudes from service providers.
Éibhlin Byrne, National Council on Ageing and Older People
The research was conducted in all ten health boards across the State last year and involved some 450 older people and 150 health and social service staff.
Council chairperson Éibhlin Byrne said: "We are aware that there is ageism in society in general. We also know from anecdotal evidence that older people face discrimination, due to their age, in the health and social services sectors - services which are vital for older people.
"This research is the beginning of identifying the extent of this problem and the impact of this experience."
The author of the report, Eileen McGlone, said: "Throughout the State there is a lack of policy and practice to tailor provision for older people. Where there are policies they aren't really being put into practice, services are very fragmented.
"Within these services most money is being put into acute and long term care, not into the community facilities and support which would help keep older people living independently in their own homes. They then end up in hospital and become labelled as bed-blockers but actually it's the system that has forced them to be there," she added.
She said the council was keen to establish changes in the health and social services which will maintain older people, in dignity and independence, in their own homes for as long as is possible.
Ms Byrne said research found older people did not want to be a burden and are worried about losing their independence. "They want to stay an active part of their community as long as they can."
"Often they felt 'fobbed-off' and reported experiencing differential treatment on the part of health and social service providers," she added.
Ms McGlone said there was "an acceptance of negative attitudes, for example using terms such as 'bed-blockers' or even 'geriatrics'.
"Also staff will tend to discuss older patients with their families instead of directly with themselves. Older people tend not to be well informed, even to extent of not understanding the purpose of their own medications."
Ms Byrne agreed: "Older people are not a homogenous group and attitude and dignity are as critical as healthcare decisions. We also found that in terms of service provision or treatment decisions, providers can take age into account rather than a person's condition."
The report has highlighted a problem of age limits for access to some treatments, "Sometimes there are explicit age limits - for instance breast check referrals not being given to women over 65, but even where the age limits are not explicit staff are aware that they exist," Ms McGlone said.
The National Council on Ageing and Older People recommends that future national policy statements and strategic plans relating to the health and social care of older people should acknowledge the importance of eradicating ageism in health and social services.
Sean Ryan TD, Labour Party spokesperson on older persons' issues, has welcomed the report. He stated it is "a scandal that older people who have scraped and made sacrifices over the years have to endure discrimination when they are in need of medical care".
He went on to ask: "What type of society have we become when many older people are not given appropriate treatment in hospitals because it is assumed they will take longer to recover given their advanced years?
"What type of health service disregards an older persons' medical complaints as merely part of the ageing process? What type of social service is it that fails to inform elderly people of their true medical condition and instead gives the information only to their family?"
The Department of Health and Children responded to the Council's report by confirming its commitment to promoting healthy ageing and to an age-friendly society.
Their statement went on: "The department is also committed to ensuring that older people, who have contributed to the development of our society, are treated with dignity and respect when receiving health care services, regardless of age. The report's key findings will be of interest to the Health Service Executive, which has statutory responsibility for the provision of health care services."
Mr Ryan concluded: "This report must not be ignored. We need to act on it immediately, and I am calling for an urgent Dáil debate to discuss its recommendations."