Considerations:

Use images that portray patients, healthcare professionals and family members in a range of ages.

Cautions:

Avoid overusing stereotypical images of physicians as older and nurses as younger.

Considerations:

Use preferable terms when describing a person’s age.

Instead of describing someone as “old,” say they are “older, aging, elderly, senior" or be specific about their age.

Cautions:

Avoid making comments or jokes that perpetuate stereotypes based on age.

For example, the phrase “so simple your grandmother can use it,” suggests that older people are not as intelligent or capable.

Considerations:

Be respectful and acknowledge the autonomy of children and adolescents.

Consider all factors that may contribute to risk, regardless of age. For example, consider sexual health at all ages.

Cautions:

Do not assume a family member’s relationship to a patient based on age.

For example, don’t assume that an older individual is a grandparent as opposed to a parent and do not assume that a younger individual is a parent when they could be a grandparent.

Do not dismiss symptoms, treatable pathologies or life experiences (e.g., parental status, employment) because of the age of the patient. This could lead to undiagnosed or undertreated conditions.

Avoid using generational stereotypes when discussing an individual. Generational stereotypes can be useful when discussing large and broad demographics, but individuals within the same generation can be 15-20 years apart in age and do not all fit into their generational stereotypes.