Reducing inequalities in healthcare provision for older adults.

The UK has a rapidly ageing population with increasing healthcare needs. Yet social isolation and exclusion, resulting from stigma and age discrimination, means that many older people are faced with unequal access to health care, referral and treatment. Inequalities in health care are particularly prevalent among older people with mental health issues and those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. Healthcare professionals need to encourage greater involvement of older people in health promotion and community-based healthcare services. Nurses are exemplars for health service delivery and are ideally placed to promote health care that is free from age-related discrimination.