What is Age Discrimination in Health Care?

‍Age discrimination in healthcare occurs when patients receive different treatment, face barriers to care, or experience bias based solely on their age. This can manifest in denied treatments, dismissive attitudes, or assumptions about quality of life based on age alone.

Why is addressing age discrimination critical?

• Equal access: All patients deserve appropriate care regardless of age.
• Better outcomes: Proper treatment improves health at any age.
• Legal protection: Federal laws prohibit age-based healthcare discrimination.

Signs of age discrimination

• Providers assuming symptoms are "just old age."
• Denial of treatments offered to younger patients.
• Exclusion from clinical trials based on age alone.

How Solace can help

‍A Solace elder care advocate can help identify age discrimination, document instances of unfair treatment, and advocate for appropriate care. They can assist in filing complaints with appropriate agencies and ensure you receive the same quality of care as younger patients.