Do hospital staff really care about the elderly in pain?

Are elderly people treated properly in NHS hospitals or do the staff tend to think "They are old and if they are in pain it doesn't really matter because they won't be with us much longer so we will save our energies for the younger people?"

Yes we do!!!! I am a CNA of 7 years and I feel so badly for them having to live in pain the way they do! Everyday can be a stuggle. Of course all staff are not compasionate and they should not be working with the elderly.

doubt it.. they just want to get the beds empty for the next one these days

It depends on the Nurse or doctor. Working in a hospital you see both types. Ones who truly care and want to help. And then you see the ones that think they are top sh*t, and don't care about anyone but themselves. It's sad to say that not all hospital personnel are caring, but I've seen it first hand, at many hospitals.

I truly believe that hospital staff feel and treat ALL patients with care. Although if I was in their shoes I would be a bit harsh with those abusive drunks that end up in hostpital after a night out. But then I do weigh 18 stone.

wow great question i worked in a hospital for awhile as a nurses aid and if it wasnt for nurses aids i think old people would suffer.we do more for them than the nurses do,bath change bedding,walk them and make sure they get their meds on time by going over their charts.i think people who have been nurses for 6 to 10 yrs need to move to a different dept so they arent so mean to people.just because they are old doesnt mean they dont have feelings and arent in pain.so if you work in this industry make sure to take care of all people equally .

While I am sure there are some burned out psyches among the hospital staff (suffering from compassion fatigue), the vast majority of people caring for the elderly are doing their best to keep them comfortable and out of pain or even discomfort. They have daily multiple glimpses into their own futures, and want the best for their patients. They do, however, have to be professional at all times, an approach often interpreted by family members not associated with the medical profession as coldness and lack of caring.

If your family member is in hospital and you feel like they are not getting the level of care you desire, you CAN go and lodge a complaint, but that won't help the situation. The best thing you can do is make an effort to "get in close" to some of the nursing or aide staff, show genuine interest in them, bring them something for the group, like a healthy, or even not so healthy snack and leave it in the room with a handwritten note saying it is for the staff. Thank them for their work, any little nicety they perform for your loved one. In brief, be gracious. I think you will be surprised at the quality and quantity of attention your family member gets.

Yes, elderly patients are treated well on the whole. In my department they are treated more considerately than most other patients. We allocate them a higher priority so that they get seen and treated more quickly. We provide transport home in all cases (which we do not do for many other patients) we have a dedicated aftercare team who arrange for home follow up and assessment.
We operate a low threshold for admitting the older patients so that they aren't left struggling at home.

I wonder whether the questioner really believes their own statement or whether they are playing devils advocate?

yes they realy do and they often feel for them
me been one of the staff you are talking about!

most dont no not in todays society your statment is right they thing evry1 is senile and dosnt knowwhat is going on

nice question,i saw my dad in law in agony whilst dying of cancer at a liverpool uk hospital,when i asked a nurse did she know he was in pain she said"" how am i supposed to know if he isn`t rolling around in the bed,i myself have had three debilitating operations in the same place,however armed with this knowledge when i go into hospital i don`t give them all my medication as requested,i keep enough to use if they are ` to busy`,not including myGET OUT OF LIFE FREE`PACK IF IT LOOKS AS IF I COULD END UP IN THE SAME SITUATION AS DAD IN LAW.remember friend life is a one off, KEN

Good question, I have often felt the same way, I think patients need cared for regardless of age!