OLD AGE STEREOTYPING: A Comparison of Nursing Staff Attitudes Toward the Elderly

Abstract

This descriptive study compares the opinions of nursing staff from two geriatric settings in an effort to explore the degree of stereotyping of the elderly. Many progressive geriatric institutions have attempted to manipulate the total milieu of the residents in an effort to lessen the pernicious effects of institutionalization. It is hoped that new rehabilitative programs will develop networks of formative relationships for the resident. Moreover, in many circumstances "milieu therapy" should instill in the residents feelings of worth and independence that will result in an increase in functional abilities. Nursing staff attitudes must be positive and constructive in an effort to form a therapeutic environment. The two settings differed in that one institution, a geriatric hospital had initiated milieu therapy, whereas the other, a private nursing home, had not yet set into motion the program, although they were in the planning stages. Data was collected by using a questionnaire developed by Ontario Welfare Council that measured opinions toward the elderly. A sample size of 97 nursing staff, (registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, and nursing orderlies) were used, most specifically to measure the degree of stereotyping of the elderly. The results from a three-factor analysis of variance with age as a covariate did not indicate any statistically significant differences in attitudes toward the elderly between the nursing staff in both institutions.