Maggie Kuhn, one of the founders of the Gray Panthers, was forced to retire at the age of 65 in 1970 for no reason other than she was deemed too old to work. She then embarked on an anti-ageism crusade until her death 24 years later at the age of 89. During this time, Ms. Kuhn said “There are six myths about old age: 1. That it’s a disease, a disaster. 2. That we are mindless. 3. That we are sexless. 4. That we are useless. 5. That we are powerless. 6. That we are all alike.”
This Saturday, October 7, is Ageism Awareness Day, an opportunity to draw attention to the existence and impact of ageism in our society and how we can reframe aging in our communities.
Ageism is a form of discrimination or prejudice based on a person’s age. It is often rooted in stereotypes, misconceptions, and negative attitudes towards people of different age groups. Anyone who has watched a movie or television show, read a newspaper or magazine, or visited a social media site recently has seen the ageism that is rampant in our society. Whether a boomer, a millennial, a gen X-er, or whatever, no age group is safe from the ridiculous claims of stupidity, laziness, etc. that flood media in its various forms.
While ageism against younger people is a problem, this column is going to focus on ageism against the older community. Ageism against older people often results in discriminatory practices, such as denying job opportunities, promoting negative stereotypes, and neglecting the healthcare needs of seniors.
Efforts to combat ageism involve raising awareness about its existence and the resulting negative impact, challenging stereotypes, promoting intergenerational understanding, and advocating for policies that promote equal opportunities for people of all ages. While it is easy to see how overall society accepts ageism, ageism also occurs internally. We do it to ourselves. How many people have you heard say that they want to do something or be a certain way, but it would not be appropriate due to their age?
One aspect of ageism is its impact on the medical care an older person may receive. Ageism in medicine occurs in various ways and can have significant consequences for the health and well-being of individuals. Here are some ways we see ageism in the medical field:
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- Treatment Disparities: Older individuals may sometimes receive different or inadequate medical treatments compared to younger patients. This can be due to assumptions about the inevitability of certain health conditions with aging, leading to less aggressive or comprehensive treatment plans.
- Underdiagnosis and Undertreatment: Ageism can contribute to underdiagnosis or undertreatment of health conditions in older adults. Symptoms may be dismissed as a normal part of aging, leading to delayed or inadequate medical care.
- Access to Healthcare: Older individuals may face barriers in accessing healthcare services, whether due to assumptions about their ability to benefit from interventions or due to other logistical issues.
- Clinical Trials and Research: Older adults are often underrepresented in clinical trials, leading to a lack of evidence-based medicine for this group. This can result in treatments that may not be as effective or safe for older individuals.
- Communication and Informed Consent: Ageism can influence communication between healthcare providers and older patients. Information may be conveyed in a patronizing manner, and older adults may be excluded from decision-making processes regarding their health.
- Age-Based Triage: In emergency situations, age may be used as a factor in triage decisions, possibly leading to older individuals receiving less aggressive interventions.
Every group that is marginalized because of a single trait that defines them is being treated unfairly. We are all individuals—regardless of our skin tone, our religion, or our age. Our ability to run a marathon, learn a new skill, be a good neighbor, etc. is not mandated by age any more than by skin tone, religion, or other pre-judged trait.
Addressing ageism is crucial for fostering a society where individuals are valued for their abilities, experiences, and contributions regardless of their age.
Consider what architect Frank Lloyd Wright said about aging. “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.”