Predrasude prema starijim osobama

U Hrvatskoj i drugim zemljama Europske unije dolazi do sve većeg starenja stanovništva. Prema popisu stanovništva iz 2011. osobe starije od 65 godina života činile su oko 18% stanovništva Republike Hrvatske, dok se procjenjuje da bi do 2030. taj broj mogao iznositi 25%. Starenje podrazumijeva proces tijekom kojeg se događaju promjene u funkciji dobi. A sama dob osobe je jedan od objekata na temelju kojeg može doći do predrasuda, stereotipa i diskriminacije. Prema istraživanju provedenom 2001. od strane gerontologa Erdmana Palmora, više od 3/4 osoba u dobi od 60 ili više godina doživjelo je najmanje jednom dobnu diskriminaciju. Starije osobe se često susreću s negativnim stereotipovima poput fizičke i intelektualne nemoći, ovisnosti o drugima, rigidnosti i slično. Kao uži pojam diskriminacije pojavljuje se ageizam ili dobna predrasuda. Uz to na živote osoba starije dobi negativno utječu i mitovi o starosti i starenju koji su prisutni u našem društvu. Tijekom vremena nastale su brojne teorije kojima se nastoje objasniti razlozi i načini kojima nastaju predrasude prema starijim osobama. Sama diskriminacija prema starijim osobama najčešće se može vidjeti u području zdravstva i skrbi o starijim osobama. S obzirom na predrasude, stereotipe i diskriminaciju prema starijim osobama, spominju se različiti načini kojima bi se učinci istih mogli smanjiti.Today in Croatia, like in many other countries of the European Union, a trend of an aging population can be seen. According to the census from 2011, persons older than 65 made up 18% of the population of The Republic of Croatia, while the projections say the number could reach 25% by the year 2030. Aging represents a process during which changes in the function of age occur. Even just a persons age can be taken as the object on which prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination can be made. According to a study done in 2001 by a gerontologist named Erdman Palmore, more than ¾ of people in the age group of 60 or more have experienced age discrimination at least once in their lives. Older people are often met with negative stereotypes about their physical and intellectual frailty, dependence on others, rigidity and similar traits. Ageism or age based prejudice can be seen as a more closely defined term of discrimination. With these things in mind, there are various myths about old age and aging present in our society which have a negative effect on the lives of older people. Throughout the time many theories have been made which tried to explain the reasons and ways by which prejudices towards older people are formed. Discrimination towards older people can be most often seen in the medical field and other institutions which provide care for the elderly. There are several ways of reducing the prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination that older people are faced with that are being discussed as possible solutions