http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/20/health/main554845.shtml
http://www.agingresearch.org/content/article/detail/694/
http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/3-05-19healthcare.htm
Some articles I found interesting about ageism in healthcare.
Insurance companies in America approve certain procedures based on some bold age gap. We all watched an episode or twon of "House", where he is having a hard time getting a patient on the transplant list, based on age alone. Every individual is in different physical shape and assessment should be done differently to qualify for necessary treatment. Chemotherapy is not advised based on the age as well.
I had a horrible experience in Russia with my family member needing an artificial lens, because of the cataract. I was told by the "Head of the ophthalmology department" that it is basically a waste of money to do this procedure, because a person is 62 and will not need it for "much longer". My grandfather, whose picture you see here, can see very well and enjoyed 15 more years of quality lifestyle after the surgery. I am sure that incident would never happen here, but insurance companies still have a say in such matters.
One should go public if she/he was rejected based on the age alone and stop any further discrimination.
By the way, my mother who is 51 is in better physical shape than I am, because she always eats smart and exercises without gaps in her schedule. She is a swimmer and participated in several competitions throughout last couple of years.
The perception of poor physical health related to age is changing as well. Many seniors win marathons and have time to polish their dancing skills. I work on the Main Line (Philadelphia) and meet many men and women whose age (on the paper) is completely meaningless, because they are sharp, fit and extremely fashionable individuals.
http://www.agingresearch.org/content/article/detail/694/
http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/3-05-19healthcare.htm
Some articles I found interesting about ageism in healthcare.
Insurance companies in America approve certain procedures based on some bold age gap. We all watched an episode or twon of "House", where he is having a hard time getting a patient on the transplant list, based on age alone. Every individual is in different physical shape and assessment should be done differently to qualify for necessary treatment. Chemotherapy is not advised based on the age as well.
I had a horrible experience in Russia with my family member needing an artificial lens, because of the cataract. I was told by the "Head of the ophthalmology department" that it is basically a waste of money to do this procedure, because a person is 62 and will not need it for "much longer". My grandfather, whose picture you see here, can see very well and enjoyed 15 more years of quality lifestyle after the surgery. I am sure that incident would never happen here, but insurance companies still have a say in such matters.
One should go public if she/he was rejected based on the age alone and stop any further discrimination.
By the way, my mother who is 51 is in better physical shape than I am, because she always eats smart and exercises without gaps in her schedule. She is a swimmer and participated in several competitions throughout last couple of years.
The perception of poor physical health related to age is changing as well. Many seniors win marathons and have time to polish their dancing skills. I work on the Main Line (Philadelphia) and meet many men and women whose age (on the paper) is completely meaningless, because they are sharp, fit and extremely fashionable individuals.
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