Ageism and Dementia-ism in Health Care: A Proposed Framework to Guide Treatment Decisions in Frail Older Persons

Abstract

Global population ageing underscores the imperative of ageism and dementia-ism in the heath care setting as there is both anecdotal and published evidence that older persons are liable to receive less than optimum evidence-based treatments on account of their age and apparent frailty. This article explores the reasons for this phenomenon and limitations of current approaches of clinical decision making. We propose a framework to guide decision making to optimize care, with a paradigm shift in redefining a default toward clinical practice guideline–recommended treatments, guided by evidence-based medicine within an ethical means-end proportionality framework, and regularly reviewed advance care plans and goals of care conversations to secure the best interests of older persons.