Protected or Neglected

Abstract

This study examines the assumptions held in the gerontological literature that older adults suffer negative ageism under conservatorship in comparison with younger adults. For the purposes of this study, negative ageism is defined in four ways-with demographic and health factors controlled: Older adults would be more likely (1) to be served under powers to place the conservatee in locked facilities, (2) to be served under powers that authorize treatment with psychotropic medication, (3) to be placed in locked facilities, and (4) to receive psychotropic medications. Findings in this study do not reveal any evidence of negative ageism; however, findings do support evidence of compassionate ageism, as older adults are less likely than are younger adults to be served under powers to place in locked facilities, less likely to be served under powers to treat with psychotropic medications, less likely to be placed in locked facilities, and less likely to receive treatment with psychotropic medications.