I recently read a disheartening article about how ageism shows up across the healthcare system. Age discrimination and bias have long affected older adults, but the pandemic highlighted many harsh examples: poor treatment in nursing homes, triage standards that de-prioritized older patients, and other situations where age alone shaped access to care.
The story described many seniors who experienced dismissive or demeaning care in routine and emergency settings — people denied adequate pain relief, talked down to by clinicians, or whose symptoms were ignored. These behaviors likely occur in retirement communities and other care settings as well.
The pattern is all too familiar. But what is the true cost — both in human terms and in dollars — of ageism in healthcare? And what practical steps can be taken to reduce age-related bias?
Ageism in healthcare is not new
Research has long documented the reach and harmful effects of ageism. A major review spanning studies from 1970 to 2017 examined hundreds of studies and millions of older adults across many countries. The analysis found that ageism had adverse effects on older people’s health in the vast majority of studies reviewed.
That work grouped harms into structural and individual categories. Structural harms include denial of access to healthcare, exclusion from clinical trials, rationing of medical resources because of age, and reduced work opportunities. On the individual level, ageism was linked to shorter life expectancy, poorer quality of life, strained social relationships, risky health behaviors, mental health problems, cognitive decline, and increased physical illness.
One of the lead researchers described the ubiquity of the problem: evidence of ageism appeared across countries, years, and health domains. In many studies, older adults were denied healthcare treatments because of their age, and nearly all studies showed a link between ageism and mental health issues such as depression.
The research also found disparities within older populations: those with lower education levels were more likely to experience age discrimination in healthcare and to suffer worse health consequences as a result.
The cost to people and society
Ageism carries both personal and societal costs. Clinicians making care decisions based on age rather than on individual health status can directly worsen outcomes. Subconscious bias can lead to undertreatment, delayed diagnoses, or dismissal of legitimate concerns.
Excluding older adults from clinical trials is another important example. Trials not only advance medical knowledge but also offer participants access to cutting-edge treatments that might be life-extending. When seniors are systematically left out, they lose potential benefits and medical science misses data about how treatments work in older populations.
There are economic consequences as well. Analyses have estimated that a substantial share of annual healthcare spending for common costly conditions among older adults is attributable to ageism — translating into tens of billions of dollars each year in excess costs in the United States alone.
Confronting the issue
Tackling systemic ageism in healthcare requires multiple approaches. One effective starting point is educating healthcare professionals about age bias. Much of this bias is implicit and unintentional. Simple examples — speaking louder to an older patient assuming they cannot hear, or attributing new symptoms to “normal aging” instead of investigating — demonstrate how subtle behaviors can lead to poor care. Training that raises awareness and provides concrete examples can help clinicians recognize and change these patterns.
Empowering older adults themselves also matters. The evidence suggests that seniors who maintain a positive view of aging and reject negative stereotypes experience better mental health outcomes. Addressing societal attitudes about aging and offering resources that strengthen resilience and self-advocacy can help mitigate some harms of ageism.
Use your voice to create change
Seniors and their families can also take direct actions when they encounter ageist behavior. Speak up when a provider assumes limitations that aren’t true — for example, politely correcting assumptions about hearing or cognition. If you believe a clinician is dismissing you because of your age, ask to speak with a supervisor or request a different provider. Advocating for appropriate evaluation and treatment protects your health and sends a message that age-based shortcuts are not acceptable.
Systemic change will require policy, education, and cultural shifts, but individuals can make an immediate difference by asserting their rights and expecting the dignity and quality of care they deserve.