Combating Ageism in America
At times, life can be harsh for older people. Comedians joke about “senior moments.” Corporations downsize, particularly letting go of employees over age 55. Hair products press for covering up the gray, while anti-aging cream and Botox® promise to smooth wrinkles.
Getting older in America carries its own set of stereotypes and discrimination, which physician and gerontologist Robert Butler coined in 1969 as “ageism.” Ageism includes negative views of a person or group of people based on their age, but predominantly, ageism is considered prejudice toward older adults. Insults and generalizations about aging run deep in our culture, leaving many elders feeling disrespected and undervalued.
Yale epidemiology professor Becca Levy and her research team have documented that a positive attitude toward old age affects older people’s recovery from injury and illness. Collecting data from 660 seniors over more than two decades, Levy’s team also reported that optimistic seniors lived an average of seven-and-a-half years longer than pessimistic folks. How others view and interact with a senior can add healthy, active years to the elder’s life.
What can you do to combat ageism and help seniors live less encumbered by stereotypes?
- Pay attention to your own aging perceptions. Learn to look beyond the labels placed on older individuals. Be mindful that no specific age is considered “old” in today’s society. Learn to identify ageism language and unfair treatment of seniors.
- Celebrate older role models. Highlight older people’s contributions to society and how they positively influence all generations. Recognize a senior’s strengths and positive qualities.
- Foster a friendship with a senior. Build a genuine friendship with an older person over a shared interest such as pets or anything that makes you appreciate each other.
- Be an aging advocate in your community. Help employers rectify age biases in the workplace. Attend local meetings that represent the interests of the elderly. Write a letter to the media. Volunteer at a senior center.
What examples of ageism have you noticed in our culture or even in your own life?
