Betsy Hill

>Does anyone here know about medical treatment of elderly patients? I
don't
>mean the actual medicine part but the rude, condescending, waste her time
>because she's old, who cares if we ever cure this because what's she
possibly
>doing in her life that's important anyway, part??
>

Hi, Nance --

I'm thinking that PART of what she is experiencing is an economic
prejudice, rather than an age prejudice. Medicare patients often aren't as
lucrative for the hospital or doctor as a working person w. good health
insurance. (Someone please correct me if I have distorted the picture.)
It's an impersonal kind of financial prejudice. I don't know if that makes
it any better.

But age prejudice and gender prejudices are real, and not uncommon in our
culture. "Little old ladies" aren't given much status.

A third part is that instutions, such as hospitals and schools, aren't by
nature humane. (We could have a long philosophical discussion about how to
change them, which would be interesting, but wouldn't help you much right
now.)

My mom's pretty fiesty. I will ask her what she knows about patients
rights and elder issues in health care.

Hang in there!
Betsy


P.S. (My MIL is having surgery today, so you have my sympathy and my
empathy, too. She's an active-duty military widow, so she still gets
treated in military hospitals. None of the hospital staff really looks old
enough (to me) to be out of high school, but WOW they are unfailingly
polite.)