On October 9, we recognize Ageism Awareness Day, an opportunity to learn more about aging and talk about ageism. When we work together, we can make our communities more age-inclusive.
What is Ageism?
Ageism refers to stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination toward others or ourselves based on age. How we think, talk, feel, and act about aging impacts our health, well-being, financial security, and the economy. It can impact us at any age.
We often hold a negative view toward getting older and those who are aging—including ourselves. In reality, aging is a rich, varied experience. It’s something we all share. We should allow aging to unite us, rather than divide us.
A 2020 poll found that 82% of adults ages 50 to 80 experience ageism daily. But older individuals who have a more positive self-perception of aging live, on average, 7.5 years longer!
In fact, how people think about and approach aging is the single most important factor in determining longevity—more than gender, income, social background, loneliness, or functional health.
Ageism impacts younger people, too. Often, young people are dismissed for lacking experience or knowledge. However, they have very important skills and perspectives, and their voices should be valued and respected.
Ageism in Healthcare
In healthcare settings, ageism has serious impacts. For example, older adults are:
- Not included in clinical trials
- Less likely to receive preventative care
- Likely to accept that depression, fatigue, and chronic pain are normal parts of aging
- Consistently undertreated and overtreated for pain
- Facing medication-related problems, which are estimated to be one of the top five causes of death in older adults
Healthcare for older adults is also not adequately funded or compensated, in comparison to other healthcare fields.
Tips and Techniques for Disrupting Ageism
If you witness discrimination, prejudice, or stereotypes about age, here are some ways you can prevent it from happening again:
- Speak up. Use your voice to call out ageism when you see or hear it.
- Flip the switch. Would the ageism statement or joke be acceptable if the person was 30 instead of 60? Would it be acceptable if it was about race, religion, or gender instead of age?
- Include yourself. Share that you used to make comments or think that way, until you realized you were acting against your own self-interests as a (future) older person.
Learn more from the Maine Council on Aging.
Share Your Six-Word Story
On October 9, help us rewrite the story of aging by sharing a six-word story. Here’s how to participate:
- WRITE: Write a six-word story describing the aging experience you want for yourself, your loved ones, and/or future generations.
- SNAP: Take a photo holding your six-word story.
- SHARE: Post your story on October 9 and tag the Maine Council on Aging.
- PASS THE PEN: Tag 1–3 people and invite them to write their own six-word story.
