Ageism in care home staff: Do staff attitudes towards ageing affect the quality of life of care home residents?

Ageism is prevalent in health and social care, both in terms of the structure of services, as well as the attitudes and behaviours of professionals (CPA, 2009). This thesis explores the ways in which ageism (i.e. ageist attitudes), manifests in health and social care and the consequences of these for residents in health and social care settings. Specifically, the research explores the factors which are associated with attitudes held by care home staff, and the extent to which these attitudes affect the quality of life of the residents they support.

Two empirical studies were carried out on a sample of 18 care homes, from which attitudinal data was collected from 131 staff, and social care related quality of life (SCRQoL) data from 174 residents. Study 1 looked at the attitudes towards ageing held by staff, in terms of prejudice (feelings towards the elderly outgroup), stereotyping (agreement with ageist statements), and anxiety about own ageing. Drawing on intergroup contact theory, the study found that more negative contact with care home residents was associated with stereotyping, whereas positive contact was related to lower ageing anxiety. Subjective wellbeing and job satisfaction were also predictors of ageing anxiety. Negative outgroup attitudes were related to lower job satisfaction and education level. In line with previous research ageing anxiety was additionally found to mediate the relationship between negative contact and outgroup attitudes.

Study 2 investigated the relationship between the staff attitudes established in study 1, and resident SCRQoL. Multilevel analysis showed that a higher average level of ageing anxiety in staff was related to poorer resident SCRQoL. Dementia diagnoses, resident health, and care home quality were also all significant predictors in the final model.

Implications for care homes are discussed, including the need to negate the effect of negative contact reported by staff, as well as the ageing anxiety felt by staff. Training is identified and explored as a potential intervention.