Disabilities and aging

Abstract

Both older persons and those who have disabilities can encounter discrimination when they seek medical care. Just as ageism and stereotypes about older persons may inappropriately limit medical care for the elderly, limits may be placed on medical care for those who are disabled simply because of the presence of a disability. At the same time death is the natural end of the lifespan for all individuals and there are situations when aggressive medical care is not indicated. It is not right to always insist on "doing everything" for a person even if that person may be at risk otherwise for discrimination. Using the example of the elderly, this paper examines the risks of discrimination and the dangers of overtreatment in caring for older persons and suggests parallels in the appropriate care of those who have disabilities.