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Knowledge and Attitudes About Ageing: Their Effects on Auditory Rehabilitation Recommendations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2012

Elinor Seville ,
Fiona M. Alpass  and
Nancy Pachana
Elinor Seville
Affiliation:
Massey University, New Zealand
Fiona M. Alpass
Affiliation:
Massey University, New Zealand
Nancy Pachana
Affiliation:
University of Queensland, Australia.
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Abstract

As the proportion of the population over age 65 in many countries continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important for health care professionals to have well-grounded knowledge of ageing processes and positive attitudes towards their older clients. In New Zealand the third most limiting chronic health condition for older adults is hearing impairment. In this study, audiologists and hearing therapists in New Zealand were asked to complete measures of knowledge and attitudes towards older adults as well as a vignette measuring treatment options. While it was hypothesised that, due to audiologists' higher overall levels of academic qualifications gained, audiologists would have more knowledge and therefore better attitudes towards older adults, there was no difference between the groups' knowledge levels. Further analyses suggested that attitudes held were in part a function of gender and possibly education, with less educated females having more positive attitudes. While all participants had positive attitudes these did not always result in the most appropriate treatment. It was concluded that a lack of specific gerontological knowledge rather than negative attitudes resulted in less appropriate treatment recommendations for older adults.

Type
Articles
Information
The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling , Volume 9 , Issue 1 , January 2003 , pp. 26 - 39
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

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