June is Seniors Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of older adults. It's also an opportunity to raise awareness about ageism, a form of discrimination against seniors that is often overlooked. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines ageism as "the stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination towards others or oneself based on age." Like sexism and racism, ageism categorizes people based on preconceived notions about age, leading to biases and negative impacts on those individuals.
Age-related stereotypes are deeply ingrained in our culture and adversely affect how we perceive older adults and ourselves as we age. This bias worsens other forms of inequity, including those based on race and disability. Ageism is unique because, unlike other forms of discrimination that target characteristics one does not possess, those who engage in ageism will eventually become part of the older age group they discriminate against.
Ageism is more prevalent in western cultures where older people are expected to withdraw as contributing members of society to allow for younger adults to take over. It is often referred to as the last acceptable form of discrimination as age-related biases are present in various situations and institutions.
Examples of ageism can be seen in simple day-to-day interactions like when a colleague remarks that someone “looks great for their age” or asks, “when a person is retiring?” to holding a misbelief that spending money on healthcare for older adults places an inequitable cost burden on the rest of the population. In fact, evidence shows that improving health-related services for older adults is an investment that pays off by enabling them to remain healthy and continue contributing to society, both economically and through sharing their extensive experience.
Challenging misbeliefs about aging requires educating ourselves and others about the facts. For example, the myth that older adults have similar characteristics is easily debunked when we recognize that older people are in fact the most diverse group due to their vast age range (from 65 to 100+ years), cultural backgrounds, experiences, and interests.
To overcome these biases, the WHO recommends increasing intergenerational interventions which reduce stereotypes by fostering relationships between people of different generations. Additionally, education aimed at eliminating misconceptions about older adults, increasing empathy, and raising awareness about the impact of our language can significantly reduce ageism.
Programs such as home-sharing initiatives and high school students volunteering to help older adults can help to foster intergenerational relationships that allow older adults to share their knowledge and expertise with younger people, while mutually benefiting participants by growing their social networks and improving their mental and physical health.
Additionally, many activities can be enjoyed regardless of age, including sharing food, music, interests in performing arts, or spending time being physically active or in nature. These activities promote bonding and understanding across generations, enriching the lives of both young and old.
We can take steps toward making a difference in the lives of older adults and in our own futures. We can start by being mindful of the language we use when talking to and about people. Secondly, we can work to recognize the significant benefits of relationships with people from different generations. These relationships allow us all to learn from other’s experiences, to see things from different perspectives and improve our social and emotional well-being. By fostering intergenerational connections, we enrich our lives and create a more inclusive and understanding society.