Features and Causes of Gerontological Ageism in the Provision of Medical and Social Assistance

Abstract

Based on the data of the author's sociological survey of medical and social workers, the article analyzes the prevalence of ageism in the activities of medical and social workers, its factors and prerequisites. It proves that ageism is a common phenomenon in the activities of medical and especially social workers but the discussion of this problem is fraught with economic, psychological, and ethical difficulties. As significant prerequisites, the following can be singled out: an orientation toward ``economic inexpediency'' of working with older people, an idea of the desirability of high emotional involvement of specialists in the problems of older people, destructive attitudes towards old age; factors - the social policy of the state, low pay and the prestige of the work of specialists working in the field of medical and social services.