Aging Population & Society – HN 360 Unit 2 Seminar-Ageism & Society Madelyn Harvey

Ageism & Society “Some of what looks like ageism comes from ignorance. Few people know much about aging today except what they see and hear in the media and popular culture (Novak, M. 2009, p.7)

Victimization of Older Adults The elderly are seen as easy targets by some who have a negative view of them. Computer fraud – promising money once they provide their bank account information Maintenance – paying for uncompleted work or work not done. Telecommunications – being charged a high phone bill for calls not made

Reasons for Victimization The elderly may not have knowledge of their consumer rights They may not have a support system Fearful of repercussions if they file a complaint

Stereotyping Stereotypes exist because of ignorance about later life and the fear of aging. Even positive stereotypes can lead to discrimination against the elderly. There are laws, however, to protect the elderly against discrimination, especially in the workplace.

You Tube Video on Ageism/Stereotyping RqedA21w

Legislation The Age Discrimination Employment Act of 1967 and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 protects the elderly from being discriminated against in the workforce.  An employer cannot fire or refuse to hire a person because of age

Media Influences Some improvements in attitudes toward older people may be taking place. Magazines and television ads now feature famous seniors. The mass media also presents an image of healthier, more active older people than in the past.

How To Stamp Out Ageism 1. Quit complimenting people on how young they look. 2. Promote intergenerational job sharing, part-time hours, and no hiring or retirement according to a plan based on chronological age.

How to Stamp Out Ageism Cont’d.. 3. Try not to blame old age for fatigue or disorganization or forgetfulness. In our youth, we blame poor planning, lack of sleep, and a bad memory. 4. Criticize your local news media when a headline or cartoon is offensive.

How to Stamp Out Ageism cont’d.. 5. When selecting a birthday card, keep your sense of humor. Just learn the difference between laughing WITH rather than laughing AT. 6. Fight ageism with two important weapons -- knowledge and a willingness to approach every person, regardless of age, as an individual with unique strengths, weaknesses, options, and opportunities.

Invitation to the Life Span by Kathleen Stassen Berger Chapter 14 – Late Adulthood: Body and Mind PowerPoint Slides developed by Martin Wolfger and Michael James Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington

Ageism  A form of prejudice in which people are categorized and judged solely on the basis of their chronological age.  Considers people as part of a category and not as individuals Elderspeak  A condescending way of speaking to older adults that resembles baby talk, with simple and short sentences, exaggerated emphasis, repetition, and a slower rate and a higher pitch than normal speech.

Believing the Stereotypes About Old Age An Imagined Threat Stereotype threat  Anxiety about the possibility that other people have prejudiced beliefs.  Responses to stereotype threat include dyeing hair, undergoing plastic surgery, dressing in youthful clothes, and moving quickly to look agile (or spry).

Young-Old, Old-Old, and Oldest-Old Young-old (70%)  Healthy, vigorous, financially secure older adults (those aged 60 to 75) who are well integrated into the lives of their families and communities. Old-old (20%)  Older adults (those aged 75 to 85) who suffer from physical, mental, or social deficits. Oldest-old (10%)  Elderly adults (those over age 85) who are dependent on others for almost everything, requiring supportive services such as nursing-home care and hospital stays.

The Elderly: Burden or Blessing? Dependence and Independence Dependency ratio  A calculation of the number of self-sufficient, productive adults compared with the number of dependents (children and the elderly) in a given population.  Current dependency ratio is about 2:1 in most industrialized nations (better than it has ever been).  Ratio could flip to 1:2 if baby-boomers live to 100 and the emerging adults are not be self-sufficient until age 25.

The Elderly: Blessing?  Older people probably give more care than they receive.  They are more likely than younger adults to vote, pray, participate in civic groups, and donate time and money to various causes as well as to their own descendants.  Only the oldest-old need ongoing care: In the U.S. and Canada, only about 4% of the over-65 population are in nursing homes or hospitals.

Conclusion Social contact between older and younger people can reduce stereotyping. Having young people interact with the elderly can help change their perception of them. Programs like the Intergenerational School in Cleveland, Ohio offers mentorship and apprenticeships for students as part of the curriculum. It involves contact between learners of all ages. These programs show the value of interaction between the generations. It has been reported that knowledge and satisfying contact with older people leads to a more positive view of aging (Novak, M. 2009, p. 19).