October 9th is Ageism Awareness Day
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines ageism as “a combination of stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) directed toward people on the basis of their age”. According to Medical News Today, Ageism is a systemic form of oppression that, unlike other causes of inequity such as racism, sexism, or ableism, anyone can experience.
Different Types of Ageism
There are many different ways to categorize ageism, including internalized agism (having a negative bias against one’s own aging), implicit ageism (unconscious biases toward people of other age groups, interpersonal ageism (conscious or unconscious comments or behavior that happen between people when they interact), cultural ageism (ingrained and normalized negative messages about aging embedded popular culture–tv, songs, jokes, etc.), and institutional ageism (unfair age-based restrictions in laws, policies, and public and private practices). For a more detailed breakdown of these categories, visit American Society on Aging’s Ageism Fact Sheet.
One example of interpersonal ageism that many of us have likely engaged in at one point or another is ‘benevolent ageism’; treating someone as though they need to be protected or are no longer able to make competent decisions based on their age. ‘Elderspeak’ is a common behavior with benevolent ageism; when an older adult is addressed in a higher pitched, slow speaking tone with simple words, as if they are a child.
The Societal and Financial Impact of Agism
According to the American Psychological Association, Ageism is “one of the last socially acceptable prejudices”. It has affects physical and mental well-being and is one of the lesser addressed “isms”. It can affect people in the workplace as well as medical settings. In fact, one study showed that some practitioners exhibit a preference against working with older patients and may even assume less favorable prognoses.
There’s even a cost to ageism. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) estimated $850 billion in lost gains to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a result of involuntary retirement, underemployment, and unemployment among older workers.
While ageism against older adults is often a focus of research on the consequences of age-bias on the individual and society as a whole, it can impact every age group. According to ageism.org, younger workers can receive negative stereotyping based on their age as opposed to their capabilities on the job.
Ageism Awareness
October 9th is Ageism Awareness Day. It was launched by the American Society on Aging in 2023 to bring attention to the impacts of ageism and encourage people to take action to create a more inclusive society. The web page has fact sheets, social media toolkits, and additional aging resources. Learn more at Ageism Awareness Day | American Society on Aging (asaging.org).
