“Well, that’s just expected at your age- not much we can do.” Is this phrase familiar? Maybe healthcare provider told you this. If so, you may have experienced ageism.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Ageism can change how we view ourselves, can erode solidarity between generations, can devalue or limit our ability to benefit from what younger and older populations can contribute, and can impact our health, longevity and well-being while also having far-reaching economic consequences.”1
This article discusses the definition of ageism, who it impacts, indications of ageism, and what we can do about it.
What is Ageism?
By definition, ageism involves three components- stereotypes (cognitive component, or what we think), prejudice (affective component, or how we feel), and discrimination (behavior component, or how we act).1,2
Ageism doesn’t just impact individuals (micro-level), but also can be seen at social network levels (meso-level), and societal levels (macro-level).2
There’s also two different “targets” of ageism, which are called “other-directed” and “self-directed” ageism.2 So it’s not just how others interact with us, but how we interact with ourselves that can attribute or detract from ageism.
Who is Impacted by Ageism?
According to the WHO, “Ageism affects everyone. Children as young as four years old become aware of their culture’s age stereotypes. From that age onwards they internalize these stereotypes to guide their feelings and behavior towards people of different ages. They also draw on culture’s age stereotypes to perceive and understand themselves. This can result in self-directed ageism at any age.”1
Research has found that younger individuals and older adults are more highly impacted by ageism. “Data from the World Values Survey, including 57 countries, showed that 60% of the respondents reported that older people do not receive the respect they deserve.”2
What Are Examples of Ageism?
Ageism can come in many forms, some subtle and some more direct.
Examples include:
- Refusing to hire someone because of their age
- Policies that provide advantage to certain age groups over another
- Making jokes about aging
- Using terms intended to degrade one based on age (i.e. “old geezer”)
- Making generalizations about a generation (i.e. “Baby boomers don’t know how to use technology”)
- Ignoring someone’s concerns/desires due to their age
- Using age as a justification to control or undermine someone
- Taking advantage of someone for financial gains due to age (i.e. taking money out of a bank account or not paying them as much as someone in a different age bracket)
- Treating someone as if they are incompetent or need higher level of instruction due to their age
- Using nicknames rather than given names (i.e. When providers call older adults “Honey” or “Sweetheart” rather than use their name as if they need more docile tones)
- Under-dosing exercises due to age
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. These are forms of ageism that are commonly used.
Other Directed Vs. Self-Directed
It’s important to remember that ageism doesn’t just come from others, but can come from within.
An example of self-directed ageism is thinking “I’m too old to be able to learn to play piano.” The idea of “I’m too old” is an ageist belief versus saying something like “I choose not to do that because I have no interest” or “I don’t want to do that because I fear hurting myself.”
While it may not seem important to learn to play the piano, self-directed ageism can seep into one’s own beliefs about their mental and physical well-being.
For example, thinking “I’m too old to start exercising” or “I’m too old to get this procedure done.”
How Does Ageism Impact Older Adults?
While it may sound slightly benign (especially if one doesn’t have first-hand experience with ageism), ageism truly impacts the health and well-being of older adults.
According to the WHO, “Ageism seeps into many institutions and sectors of society including those providing health and social care, in the workplace, media, and the legal system. Health care rationing based solely on age is widespread. A systematic review in 2020 showed that in 85% of 149 studies, age determined who received certain medical procedures or treatments.”3
In an article published by the American Medical Association in May 2022, Karl Pillemar, PhD and gerontologist notes, ““In many cases, it (ageism) results in an inclination to provide less care and attention. For example, older patients may not receive certain procedures because they are perceived as a lower priority.”3
That is even more worrisome as the aging population continues to grow. The population of people age 60 and over is expected to double by 2050. Studies have found that as the percentage of older adults within a region increases, so do negative attitudes towards this population.2
Ageism doesn’t only impact physical health, but mental health as well. Older adults may experience difficulty receiving mental health services, due to the belief that seniors are “set in their ways, or unwilling to change.”4
The impact of ageism can also lead to decreased lifespan. “Psychologist Becca Levy, PhD, assistant professor of public health at Yale University, conducted a longitudinal study of 660 people 50 years and older. She found that those with more positive self-perceptions of aging lived 7.5 years longer than those with negative self-perceptions of aging.”4
What Can Be Done About Ageism?
Since ageism is a complex, widespread problem, there’s not one cure-all solution.
However, there are things you can do to work towards decreasing ageism in your own life/world.
Awareness is a huge first step! Being aware of ageism and what it looks/sounds like can help you change ageist behaviors in your life and in those around you.
When it comes to self-directed ageism, a recent systematic review found that better physical and mental health is associated with lower levels of self-directed ageism.2
So making sure you’re exercising, eating properly, and taking care of emotional needs are all important for confronting and combating ageism internally.
When it comes to things like social levels, studies have found that connection is beneficial. The key factor, researchers found, was quality of social connection between younger and older individuals, rather than quantity of connections.2
For example, participating in activities, events, or volunteer groups where older and younger individuals get to work together can help lessen ageism on social levels.2
When it comes to the macro or cultural levels, studies have found resources are essential. Having enough resources available (such as healthcare, jobs, etc.) decreases ageism. However, having a larger percentage of older adults in a region also increases ageism.2
On the macro-level, a lot of work needs to be done to help prevent and decrease ageism for our growing aging population.
Staying informed about local and national legislation and how it impacts older adults can help. Use this link to find out how certain legislation may impact seniors and what you can do about it!
The World Health Organization has a Global Campaign to Combat Ageism. The WHO’s 194 member states back this program, which aims “to change the narrative around age and aging and help create a world for all ages.”5
Check out the campaign and how it’s increasing research, awareness, and support to prevent and fight ageism Here!
Have the Strength to Live Life to the Fullest!
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Sources:
- https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/ageing-ageism
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7178234/
- https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/population-care/ageism-creeping-your-care-older-adults?&utm_source=BulletinHealthCare&utm_medium=email&utm_term=052322&utm_content=NON-MEMBER&utm_campaign=article_alert-morning_rounds_daily&utm_uid=&utm_effort=
- https://www.apa.org/monitor/may03/fighting
- https://www.who.int/teams/social-determinants-of-health/demographic-change-and-healthy-ageing/combatting-ageism
