Previous article
Modified Two-Tiered Serodiagnostic Testing Algorithms for Acute Phase or Early Disseminated Lyme Disease
Jul 2024
Next article
Electronic Nicotine-Delivery Systems Increase Abstinence in Tobacco Users
Curbside Consultation

Ageism Revisited

Anne Walling, MD

American Family Physician. 2024;110(1):87-89.

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

ANNE WALLING, MD, is professor emerita in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita, Kansas.

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

  1. 1.Caplan Z, Rabe M. The older population: 2020. May 25, 2023. Accessed September 2023. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2023/decennial/c2020br-07.html
  2. 2.Robinson TE, White GL, Houchins JC. Improving communication with older patients: tips from the literature. Fam Pract Manag. 2006;13(8):73-78.
  3. 3.Salway SM, Payne N, Rimmer M, et al. Identifying inequitable healthcare in older people: systematic review of current research practice. Int J Equity Health. 2017;16(1):123.
  4. 4.Kang H, Kim H. Ageism and psychological well-being among older adults: a systematic review. Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2022;8 : 23337214221087023.
  5. 5.Hu RX, Luo M, Zhang A, et al. Associations of ageism and health: a systematic review of quantitative observational studies. Res Aging. 2021;43(7–8):311-322.
  6. 6.Allen JO, Solway E, Kirch M, et al. Experiences of everyday ageism and the health of older US adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(6):e2217240.
  7. 7.Chrisler JC, Barney A, Palatino B. Ageism can be hazardous to women’s health: ageism, sexism, and stereotypes of older women in the healthcare system. J Soc Issues. 2016;72(1):86-104.
  8. 8.Roberts E. Age discrimination in health and social care. June 1, 2000. Accessed September 2023. https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/age-discrimination-health-and-social-care
  9. 9.Higashi RT, Tillack AA, Steinman M, et al. Elder care as “frustrating” and “boring”: understanding the persistence of negative attitudes toward older patients among physicians-in-training. J Aging Stud. 2012;26(4):476-483.
  10. 10.Palsgaard P, Maino Vieytes CA, Peterson N, et al. Healthcare professionals’ views and perspectives towards aging. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(23):15870.
  11. 11.Kahana E, Kahana B. Baby boomers’ expectations of health and medicine. Virtual Mentor. 2014;16(5):380-384.
  12. 12.Dimock M. 5 things to keep in mind when you hear about gen Z, millennials, boomers and other generations. May 22, 2023. Accessed September 2023. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/05/22/5-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-you-hear-about-gen-z-millennials-boomers-and-other-generations
  13. 13.Delgado M, Goettge K, Gonzales E; White House Conference on Aging. The graying and browning of America: seeing “invisible” baby boomers. June 2015. Accessed October 19, 2023. https://www.bu.edu/ssw/files/2015/06/Research-Brief_Delgado_Graying-and-Browning_061115.pdf
  14. 14.Frey KT, Bisconti TL. “Older, entitled, and extremely out-of-touch”: does “OK, Boomer” signify the emergence of a new older adult stereotype?. J Appl Gerontol. 2023;42(6):1200-1211.
  15. 15.Groden SR, Woodward AT, Chatters LM, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine among older adults: differences between baby boomers and pre-boomers. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2017;25(12):1393-1401.
  16. 16.Ho TF, Rowland-Seymour A, Frankel ES, et al. Generational differences in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in the context of chronic diseases and pain: baby boomers versus the silent generation. J Am Board Fam Med. 2014;27(4):465-473.
  17. 17.LeRouge CM, Tao D, Ohs J, et al. Challenges and opportunities with empowering baby boomers for personal health information management using consumer health information technologies: an ecological perspective. AIMS Public Health. 2014;1(3):160-181.
  18. 18.Bartlett DF. The new health care consumer. J Health Care Finance. 1999;25(3):44-51.
  19. 19.Eymard AS, Douglas DH. Ageism among health care providers and interventions to improve their attitudes toward older adults: an integrative review. J Gerontol Nurs. 2012;38(5):26-35.
  20. 20.Adelman RD, Greene MG, Ory MG. Communication between older patients and their physicians. Clin Geriatr Med. 2000;16(1):1-24.
  21. 21.National Institute on Aging. Talking with your older patients. January 25, 2023. Accessed September 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/talking-your-older-patients
  22. 22.Gerontological Society of America. Contemporary matters in gerontology. Accessed September 2023. https://gsaenrich.geron.org/strategic-alliances

Case scenarios are written to express typical situations that family physicians may encounter; authors remain anonymous. Send scenarios to afpjournal@aafp.org. Materials are edited to retain confidentiality.

This series is coordinated by Caroline Wellbery, MD, associate deputy editor.

A collection of Curbside Consultation published in AFP is available at https://www.aafp.org/afp/curbside.

Previous article
Modified Two-Tiered Serodiagnostic Testing Algorithms for Acute Phase or Early Disseminated Lyme Disease
Jul 2024
Next article
Electronic Nicotine-Delivery Systems Increase Abstinence in Tobacco Users

Current issue

May 2026

May 2026

Copyright © 2026 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP. See permissions for copyright questions and/or permission requests.