But even though the rate has declined, because the older population is growing so rapidly, there will still be more disabled people in the future than there are today. Further progress is needed. There are ways to further reduce disability among the elderly. Targeting these conditions for intensive treatment and rehabilitation could help reduce disability among a substantial number of older people and improve their ability to function independently. Unfortunately, Dr. Franklin says barriers prevent people with disabilities from receiving appropriate care.
Evidence points to widespread ageism in the health care field.
Dr. Ferrucci and his colleges found that people age 85 and older were treated less intensively in the hospital than their younger counterparts. This latest finding coupled with earlier data, suggest that physicians are improperly using age as a criterion for treatment. A second problem is that geriatric medicine and rehabilitation too often operate on parallel paths instead of in unison. The failure to provide rehabilitative services in conjunction with acute care comes at the expense of the patient. Finally, Dr. Williams says we all must respect fully the individuality and autonomy of all persons.