Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of ageism in Polish society. In addition, the relationships of opinions with demographic data, knowledge about aging and individual contact with the elderly, in the context of knowledge about their exclusion, were examined. Patients and methods: The study involved 923 individuals in Poland. Their demographic characteristics were recorded, and all subjects were assessed using Kogan’s Attitudes toward Old People (KOAP) scale and asked to complete the Facts on Aging Quiz. Subjects were also asked about their knowledge of the definition of ageism and asked to explain it. Results: The KOAP scale as a function of predictors was modeled using Bayesian robust linear regression with t distribution. The subjects had a mean (SD) KAOP score of 90.88 (17.41), with the central 50% of the observations ranging from 83 to 101 points. Three statistically credible relationships with responses to the questionnaires were observed. Respondents attending school had slightly lower average KAOP scores than respondents with other professional status. In addition, FAQ was negatively and moderately related to KAOP, whereas contacts with elderly people were positively and moderately related to KAOP. Conclusion: Knowledge of aging and contact with elderly individuals significantly affected attitudes and behaviors regarding ageism. Many study subjects were characterized by having unfavorable attitudes towards the elderly.

Attitudes of healthcare workers towards the elderly significantly affect the quality of care dedicated to this group of patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the approach of Polish physiotherapists to the elderly and to analyze the factors influencing these attitudes. The study was based on a cross-sectional Internet-based survey that was conducted in the period from May to September 2021. It was completed by 252 subjects: 189 women and 63 men. The study was based on the involvement of physiotherapists with the right to practice their profession in accordance with the law in force in Poland. The tools used in the study were The Kogan Attitudes towards the Elderly (KAOP) score and The Jefferson Empathy Scale (JSE). To model the KOAP score as a function of the predictors, Bayesian linear regression was used. The average KOAP score in the sample was M (SD) = 100.7 (17.46), with the central 50% of the observations ranging from 81 to 113 points. We observed one statistically credible relationship: relevance of contacts with elderly people was positively and moderately related to KOAP. Additionally, we observed that the JSE scale was positively, but very weakly, associated with KOAP. Empathy and own experience of health care providers may protect against negative attitudes towards the elderly, meaning empathy in healthcare professionals is crucial.

The aim of the study was to determine the opinion of society on the individual care and protection measures towards seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the relationship of opinions with demographic data, knowledge about aging and own experience in contacts with the elderly was examined. The study involved 923 attendees from Poland. The tools used to assess the research problem were: demographic characteristics, a Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ), the author’s questionnaire about preventive and protective measures for seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. We observed that over 50% of participants were against designating shopping hours for seniors. The analysis showed that negative attitudes were more often expressed by women than by men; younger people and those declaring that they do not spend too much time with the elderly. In the matter of vaccination priority for the elderly, over 70% participants replied “rather yes” or “definitely yes”. The use of the age criterion in situations of limited access to medications and ventilators was supported mainly by learners, with high results of the FAQ, and professionals dealing with seniors. Finally, almost 56% of participants declared that their contacts with seniors were the same as before the pandemic, while merely 1.6% indicated that they avoid contact with them entirely.

Classification of psychosomatic disorders