Words and language matter: improving older person's healthcare outcomes through use of age-positive language

Ageism is a public health emergency affecting both the health outcomes of older people and the global economy. Emergency Departments are environments where emergency clinicians often face increased cognitive load and are more susceptible to cognitive bias, which can influence patient outcomes. With an ageing population, sustainable healthcare requires a multifaceted approach that includes awareness of the extensive harms of ageism. The language and words used by healthcare providers both directly and indirectly impact patient experience and health outcomes. Consciously transitioning to age-positive language is one strategy emergency clinicians can use to combat ageism and improve healthcare experiences and outcomes for older persons presenting for emergency care.