The negative attitudes about the aging population and widespread ageism create individual barriers to studying geriatrics or working with an aging population by impacting personal decisions. Additionally, the lack of first-hand interpersonal connection people in other age groups have with older adults makes it difficult to look past stereotypes.

Santa Clara University

The number of people who enter the geriatric workforce is staggeringly low. Most barriers to geriatrics occur at the individual and systematic levels, and is exacerbated by ageism.

Barriers to Entering the Geriatric Workforce

Shea, Adam, et al. “Students’ Attitudes and Intention to Work with Older Adults in the Era of Covid-19.” GeroPsych, vol. 35, no. 1, 2022, pp. 5–16., https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000274. 

Students’ Attitudes and Intention to Work with Older Adults in the Era of Covid-19.

A lack of formal training opportunities to deal with the aging populations in fields including nursing, social work, and physician care deters people from pursuing the field.

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