Do elderly clients in an acute care hospital perceive they are treated with dignity and respect

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether elderly clients in an acute care setting perceived themselves as being treated with dignity and respect, and whether clients with a higher socioeconomic status are more likely than clients with a lower socioeconomic status to be treated with dignity and respect. Sixty-two elderly clients who had been in hospital at least five days, were alert and oriented during their hospitalization, and could speak English were selected for the study. Using a convenience sampling technique, the clients were selected from medical and surgical units of two major teaching hospitals. They were interviewed within three days after discharge to respond to items on a questionnaire selected from the Medicus Quality Assurance Tool. The results of the study show that elderly clients may not perceive that they are consistently treated with dignity and respect. Older clients (75+ years) are less likely than younger older clients (65-74) to be treated with dignity and respect, and elderly clients with a lower socioeconomic status and women, are less likely to be treated with dignity and respect.Applied Science, Faculty ofNursing, School ofGraduat