Identifying And Challenging Ageism

Ageism is referred to as the 'last acceptable ism.' This brief session sets the foundation of ageism as a bias and how bias can sometimes lead to prejudice or discrimination. Ageism can be obvious but it is often insidious as it is normalized in our culture showing up in behaviors of children as young as three years old.

Ageism is referred to as the 'last acceptable ism.' In the last session, we set the foundation to understand what ageism is and how it is a bias. This session will provide examples of how ageism shows up in the health care/medical fields, in our workplaces and society at-large. Some suggestions about how to challenge ageist behaviors will be shared with more to follow in the last class of this course.

When someone renders another as 'less-than' or unworthy, which 'ism attitudes do, they are likely to be mistreated. It is easier for others to justify their poor behavior when they engage in ageist attitudes or behaviors. 1 in 10 older adults report that they have been mistreated/abused and for every one case of abuse reported, twenty-four go unreported. Ageism can lead to prejudice or discrimination of older adults. If you hear someone using ageist comments about someone they care for, this is a pink flag. There are additional indicators could add up to something more. Each state and most countries have organizations that can assist if you have concerns someone is being mistreated. *Trigger Warning: Please note that this particular class discusses mistreatment/abuse of older adults. Please skip this class if this topic is difficult to hear.

Ageism is referred to as the 'last acceptable 'ism and it exists everywhere. This course offers a few ideas about how to challenge ageist attitudes and behaviors. Aging is a privilege and should be honored as such. As long as we are living and breathing on this planet, we are aging. When we consider the alternative, why is there such negativity around aging? Let's stop shaming each other about aging and celebrate it.