Effects of ageism on individual and health care providers' responses to healthy aging

Although misconceptions about the aging process have lessened over recent years, ageism is still having a detrimental effect on healthy aging. This article reviews the literature to support this contention and to demonstrate how stereotyping can affect the shape and nature of programs for elderly people. It is argued that for longlasting change to occur, service providers need to directly target these negative attitudes in themselves, their professional institutions, their clients, and their communities. Suggestions are made for professional development, research, and program planning.