Conditions That Affect The Elderly Do Not Get Such High Priority In UK Healthcare, Says Help The Aged

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 17 Aug 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Reacting to the BMJ report which shows the NHS and private healthcare not providing basic care to older people, Kate Jopling, Head of Public Affairs for Help the Aged, says:

"These depressing results show that when it comes to healthcare, all too often older people and the conditions that affect them come far down the pecking order. Yet again ageism rears its ugly head.

"This report shows that in approximately 7,000 cases, older people have been denied the care they desperately need, while routinely, conditions that are common with older people are less likely to be cared for. This is extremely short-sighted in an increasingly ageing society.

"This kind of ageist treatment is precisely why legislation against age discrimination is needed. The Government has announced this will form part of the forthcoming Equality Bill but no timeframe or process has been agreed - until that happens, older people will continue to be short changed by the health service. The Government must commit now to an urgent timetable to ensure this injustice does not continue."

1. The Help the Aged 'Just Equal Treatment campaign called for legislation against age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services including health and social care services. For more information visit www.helptheaged.org.uk/justequaltreatment

2. Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

3. Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect. Visit www.helptheaged.org.uk or call 0207 239 1982.

www.helptheaged.org.uk

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