Let’s face it: if you’re alive, then you’re getting older. You would think that would mean most of us would be a bit more accepting of older adults. After all, we’re all on the same journey. Unfortunately, there are many ways that our society sends a strong message that getting old is a bad thing. It’s a time when we become wrinkled, hard of hearing, can’t see clearly, and are less productive.
Ageism Awareness Day falls on October 9th. It is intended to draw awareness to the existence and impact of ageism in our society. Ageism is a way of thinking about older people and the stereotypes we have related to aging. Quite often it’s something we do while unaware that we’re doing it. It may be as simple as treating older adults as if they all have dementia, or it may be in the comments, jokes, and other negative messages we have about aging. Ageism is one of the most widespread forms of prejudice in America, and unfortunately, it’s also one of the most socially accepted.
Ageism can show up in small, everyday ways. It can sound like talking over an older person instead of speaking to them. It can look like making choices for them without asking what they want. It can also be in a joke about “senior moments” or in a person being told they are “too old” to learn something new. These messages may seem harmless to some people, but they add up. Over time, they can shape how older adults see themselves and how others treat them.
Ageism can result in poor health care, like when an older adult is denied treatment options based on how old s/he is, or having depression go undiagnosed due to the belief that all older adults are depressed. Sometimes older people are told that pain is a normal part of aging while a younger person would receive pain control medications. Pain is consistently undertreated in elderly patients.
This matters because pain should not be brushed aside. If an older adult says something hurts, that should be taken seriously. If someone is feeling sad, worried, or hopeless, that should also be taken seriously. It is easy to assume that a symptom is “just age,” but that can delay care. A good question to ask is, “Is this really part of aging, or is this something that can be treated?” That simple question can lead to better care and better quality of life.
In the healthcare industry, elderly individuals are less likely to be included in clinical trials and are less likely to receive preventive care. They’ve been taught to think that all older adults are depressed, crabby, and unhappy…so much so that when they have a bad day, even they believe it’s normal!
There is also a practical side to this. Preventive care includes things like checkups, screenings, vaccines, and other care that can help catch problems early. When older adults are left out of research or preventive care, they may not get the same chance to stay healthy. When doctors, nurses, or caregivers expect the worst, they may miss what is really going on. That is why it is important to keep asking questions, keep sharing concerns, and keep speaking up.
Prejudice in the workplace is not uncommon when you’re elderly. If you don’t retire at 65, people begin to question whether you’re still capable of doing the job. You may not be taken as seriously because of the belief that all older people struggle with memory issues.
This can be hard for people who want or need to keep working. Some older adults work for income. Some work because they enjoy it. Some have a lot to offer because they have years of skill, patience, and problem-solving behind them. Age should not decide whether someone is respected at work. A person’s ability should be based on who they are, not on a number.
One way to push back against ageism at work is to focus on facts instead of assumptions. Ask what support a person needs. Give clear directions. Do not assume memory trouble. Do not assume a slower pace means less value. Many older workers bring strong work habits, good judgment, and deep experience.
Ageism in advertising is common. Think of how many commercials you’ve seen lately that show an older person in a positive manner. Usually it’s targeting how they need life insurance so they don’t leave their children responsible for their financial debt, or how they’ve fallen and can’t get up!
Advertising shapes how people think. When older adults are shown only as weak, confused, lonely, or in need of rescue, that becomes the picture many people carry around in their heads. But older adults are not one thing. They are parents, neighbors, workers, volunteers, friends, artists, caregivers, and leaders. Good advertising would show that variety. It would show older adults living full lives, not just worrying about decline.
Age affects each of us differently. We all age at different rates. We are all unique. Yes, some people will develop dementia or become deaf or blind with age. Some might become incontinent or show other signs of age-related disorders…but not everyone! Ageism limits us and encourages us to deny a time in our lives when we can contribute so much!
This is an important point. Aging does not happen in the same way for every person. Some people stay active for a long time. Some live with health changes. Some need more support. None of that takes away their worth. It only means that support may need to look different from one person to another. A fair community makes room for that difference.
There are simple ways to challenge ageism in daily life:
- Speak directly to older adults, not just to the person with them.
- Do not use baby talk or jokes that make aging sound silly or shameful.
- Ask before helping. Offer support without taking over.
- Include older adults in plans, decisions, and conversations.
- Notice your own assumptions and pause before you act on them.
- Respect that some older adults want advice, while others just want to be heard.
Families can help too. When children and teens hear respectful talk about aging, they learn that getting older is a normal part of life, not something to fear. When adults model patience and respect, younger people learn to value older people’s ideas and experiences. These lessons matter at home, in school, at church, in stores, and in the community.
It also helps to remember that asking for help is not the same as being helpless. Older adults may need a ride, a simpler form, a large print handout, or extra time to respond. Those supports can make a big difference. They do not take away dignity. They protect it. If a person needs help understanding options, finding services, or working through disability-related barriers, Disability Network Lakeshore can help. Our services are free, and you can call us at (616) 396-5326.
Don’t think of old age as a time of loss. Think of it as a normal part of life. Not when we forget all we knew but recognizing that we have a lifetime of experience and are more certain of ourselves. We are each distinct and extraordinary…just as we were when we were younger. Let’s celebrate older adulthood, not as a time when things are reaching an end but recognizing the experience and wisdom that have brought us this far into the golden years!
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442 Century Lane
Holland, MI 49423
Services
Advocacy
Assistance Animals
Information & Referral
Peer Support
Emergency Readiness
Social Security Disability
Social Participation
Veterans
Skills Development
Employment
Transition
Nursing Home Transition
Youth Services
About
Contact Us
The Ability Award
Blog
DNL Live
Satisfaction Survey
Volunteer
Office Hours: 8am–4:30pm M-F
Privacy Policy
UCP of Michigan
Info@dnlakeshore.org
Phone: (616) 396-5326
Fax: (616) 396-3220
Disability Network Lakeshore is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization.