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Developing Empathy An Aging Simulation Exercise July 26, 2013 This presentation is supported by HRSA (the Health Resource and Services Administration)

The Challenge: Empathy without Re-enforcing Negative Stereotypes

Your Aging IQ An Interactive Quiz – – Other publications –

Ageism and Stereotypes of Aging "Ageism" --word coined in the 70's by Robert Butler. Ageism refers to prejudice, discrimination and hostility directed against people because of age. (Could this apply to teens?) Expectations about what it is to be older may lead to ageism. However cultural definitions of old age and the status of the elderly vary by culture, and even within a culture, images of aging are affected by gender, class position, level of family support and health. Gender and ageism: double standard - women need to maintain youthful appearance Men are considered distinguished when women are “old” Women are seen as needy, men - self-reliant

Medicalization of old age Since mental and physical decline are inevitable with aging they should be treated as disease. William Osler, noted physician of the early 20th century commented on the relative uselessness of those over the age of 40. Even Dr. Nascher who came up with the word “geriatrics” states “We realize that for all practical purposes the lives of the aged are useless, that they are often a burden to themselves, their family, and the community at large” (Cole 1993 cf Hollis/Sawyer)

“Senectitude” (si-NEK-ti-tood, -tyood) noun – Old age. [From Latin senectus (old age), from senex (old). Ultimately from the Indo-European root sen- (old) that's also the ancestor of senior, sir, sire, senate, senile, Spanish señor, and surly (which is an alteration of sirly, as in sir-ly).] - Anu Garg (garg wordsmith.org)

One of the first gerontologists: G. Stanley Hall (1922) Lack of Energy Struggle to appear younger Sleep problems At sixty...

Health Care and Ageism One important area affected by ageist attitudes is health care. Health care professionals interact with the sickest of people and often view the elderly as on a downward journey of decline and disability. Racism and economic inequality interact with age to affect the provision of health care. Myth of older people living in nursing homes. Only 5% are in an institution at any one time, most likely an 85 year old white woman widowed, with multiple disabilities that require around the clock care. Society has yet to come to terms in dealing with terminal illness. Does the expectation of disability lead to disability (self- fulfilling prophecy)?

“Sagacity” suh-GAS-i-tee) -Keen judgment or wisdom. From Latin sagacitas (wisdom), from sagire (to perceive keenly). Ultimately from the Indo-European root sag- (to seek out) Earliest documented use: Anu Garg (garg wordsmith.org)

What is So Good About Growing Old Forget about senior moments. The great news is that researchers are discovering some surprising advantages of aging By Helen Fields Smithsonian magazine, July-August 2012 Read more: “ We have a seriously negative stereotype of the 70s and beyond, ” says Pillemer, “ and that stereotype is typically incorrect. ”