Shaping attitudes: The association between prior contact with residential aged care and resistance to enter residential aged care

Abstract

Background The ageing population is increasing, and negative attitudes towards older people are all too common and largely overlooked. However, little research has examined how ageist, prejudice, and discrimination, that often occur in healthcare settings, impact the community's perceptions of entering Residential Aged Care (RAC) in the future. In particular, studies have not investigated how contact with RAC influences individuals’ attitudes towards RAC facilities, residents and staff. This study is the first to examine individuals’ resistance towards living in RAC using the contact hypothesis, a theory of prejudice reduction. Aims To explore how positive or negative contact with RAC residents and staff impacts individuals’ behavioural intentions towards entering RAC in the future. To examine whether perceptions of trust, independence and RAC staff mediate the relationship between contact and behavioural intentions towards entering RAC in the future. Design A cross‐sectional survey design. Method Data were collected via online surveys using contact (positive or negative), trust, independence, perceptions of RAC staff and resistance levels (mild refusal or extreme refusal) measures. Participants (n = 373) from Australia and USA were recruited using social media, word of mouth and Amazons Mechanical Turk. Findings Individuals who experienced negative contact with RAC residents and staff were more likely to report intense resistance to RAC, “I would rather die than enter RAC”. Whereas, positive contact with RAC residents and staff was associated with reductions in the adverse appraisal of RAC staff; a diminished perception that individuals lost their independence, and an increased trust in RAC residents, facilities and staff. Participants from USA reported greater levels of resistance towards RAC in comparison with participants from Australia. This study demonstrates how interactions with RAC residents, facilities and staff are critical in shaping attitudes towards RAC. Implications for practice It is recommended that the public are exposed to opportunities where they can experience positive contact with RAC. RAC facilities can promote interaction between the public and RAC residents through encouraging participation in community partnership programs/intergenerational programs.

Deeply Discrediting: A Systematic Review Examining the Conceptualizations and Consequences of the Stigma of Working in Aged Care

“…general public) were more prone to target their stigmatizing evaluations at aged care workers. From a psychological perspective, societal groups may be primed to discredit aged care workers due to the media's intense negative focus on the aged care industry and prior negative contact with institutional aged care (Walker, Dissanayaka, Scott, Manchha & Pachana, 2019). Furthermore, the aged care workforce and student population may target their stigmatizing evaluations at low paid work and negative reactions towards working in aged care, respectively because it is more salient to their identity (Quinn et al, 2014).…”

O Ageísmo Nos Cuidados De Saúde: Uma Revisão Sistemática

“…Os aspectos teóricos e objetivos dos estudos apresentaram como os idosos são vítimas de discriminação em vários contextos socioculturais, resultante de atitudes negativas frente ao envelhecimento e a pessoa idosa, esse cenário favorece o surgimento do ageísmo. Esse tipo de preconceito ocorre de forma recorrente nos serviços de saúde, principalmente nos ambientes de cuidados médicos (Walker et al, 2019). Em comparação com os outros tipos de preconceito o ageísmo é o menos estudado, socialmente aceito, de difícil investigação e camuflado por atitudes pseudo-positivas, em diversões cenários (França, Siqueira-Brito, Valentin, Vasques-Menezes, & Torres, 2017).…”

“…Nessa perspectiva, o cuidado com o paciente idoso deve ser efetuado de forma integrada, acolhendo o idoso em todas as suas singularidades (Veras & Oliveira, 2018). Em contrapartida, o ageísmo é citado como um dos principais desafios enfrentados pela terceira idade na busca por atendimento (Walker, Dissanayaka, Scott, Manchha, & Pachana, 2019). A partir dessa problemática a seguinte questão de pesquisa emergiu: "Como o ageísmo se expressa e é investigado na assistência à saúde do idoso e quais os desfechos apresentados pela literatura?"…”

The experience of entering residential aged care: The views of residents, family members and staff—an Appreciative Inquiry

“…These concerns are reinforced by negative stereotypes and adverse media attention. 11 Older adults who experience anxiety about transitioning to residential aged care fear losing control over the decision-making process, potentially further impacting their declining health. 12 A review of carers' experiences of a relative transitioning to residential aged care reported that they felt under duress to make a decision that may not have aligned with their personal preferences or cultural values, and they felt the need to defend their decision as their own health was impacted.…”

“…Negative experiences of residential aged care by a family member or friend can contribute to increased unease or fear of admission to residential care. These concerns are reinforced by negative stereotypes and adverse media attention 11 . Older adults who experience anxiety about transitioning to residential aged care fear losing control over the decision‐making process, potentially further impacting their declining health 12 .…”