for studies investigating factors that can maximize or reduce quality health care for older patients and this need may be particularly acute for older people with cancer. In this regard, Butler and Lewis (1983) state that one of the primary barriers to quality health care for the older adult has been "ageism". They defined ageism as the prejudices, stereotypes, and negative attitudes applied to the elderly on the basis of their age alone.
Ageism is said by Butler and Lewis (1983) to be similar to sexism and racism in that it is a method of stereotyping older adults. According to the authors, ageism often bars older persons from being seen as regular individuals with unique ways of living their lives.
Ageism is said by Butler and Lewis (1983) to involve the belief that the elderly are too inflexible to learn. The ageism orientation has at its foundation the belief that the older adult segment of our society is fundamentally different from other societal members, and t
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