This pandemic has brought to light several things, one of them being ageism. Ageism is discrimination against older people. Between several Boomer Remover hashtags and thoughts that the aging population should do things like give up their ventilators to save the "spring chickens" of the world, several disheartening and disgusting comments have been made. I think it begs the question: "Are you being ageist?"
Ways in which you can be seen as ageist:
Deciding someone's life is less valuable because they've lived longer. Hence the reason that saying aging people should give up their ventilators is ageist.
Assuming that older people can't or shouldn't do much. Why is it a big joke for an older person to get up and dance and enjoy life? Celebrate and encourage their behavior.
Passing aging people over for jobs. Getting older doesn't mean losing your business skills. Aging people in the workforce are actually very dependable.
Those in the healthcare field deciding to treat or save someone younger over someone older based on age alone.
Stereotyping older people in media. Movies use the aging community for a little laugh, but it can come off as ageist.
Older adults internalize what's being said about them, and it can impact their mental healthy and longevity. So, be mindful about what you say and do, and the impact it can, in turn, have.
I read in Intro to Aging by Judith Sugar (2020) that older adults who are living longer and in good health are helping to boost the economy by virtue of their longer periods of productivity, ability to earn and save income, and purchase and consume more goods (Sugar, 2020).
Please read this beautiful article that was shared with me by one of my favorite Geropsychologists: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/i-am-old-not-disposable-coronavirus-pandemic_n_5ea7295dc5b6a30004e67306?guccounter=1. It truly highlights why we need to get rid of our ageist attitudes.
Comments