Ageism is the term for younger generations seeing older people as different from themselves, subtly ceasing to identify with them as human beings at all.1 Mental health professionals and gerontologists can help seniors overcome and cope with this stigma and its effects on their mental health.
What Is Ageism?
Ageism is a process of stereotyping and discriminating against people because of their age.1 The mental and physical consequences of ageism are tightly intertwined with the negative messages and discrimination seniors are exposed to on a daily basis.
The potential consequences of ageism are not limited to employment or finances. They can significantly impact mental and emotional health, including:3
- A decreased will to live
- Less desire to live a healthy lifestyle
- Impaired recovery from illness
- Increased stress
- Shortened lifespan
Carole Cox, Professor at the Graduate School of Social Service at Fordham University, states, “Ageism is discrimination and even oppression on the basis of age. Common to all of the ‘isms,’ ageism can have a negative psychological impact on older adults who experience it as a force that differentiates them from others and stigmatizes them as it portrays them as ‘less worthy.’ To the extent that persons internalize these beliefs and negative stereotypes, their own self-worth and value may be threatened. Research has found that such negative self-perceptions are associated with anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem. Unfortunately, older adults are less likely than their younger peers to seek therapeutic help and if they do seek assistance, they often find therapists are less willing to accept them, a factor that reflects their own ageist beliefs.”
What Causes Someone to Adopt Ageist Behaviors?
Ageism is also related to people’s personal fears about their own mortality, death, and dying that may hit them when interacting with an older person. They equate growing old with moving closer to death, which fosters anxiety, fear and a need to distance themselves from seniors. The Institute on Aging describes the phenomena: “Aging is seen as something to avoid, to fear, and to hide at all costs — the longer we maintain the illusion of appearing young, the longer we remain acceptable by society’s unrealistic standards.”1
Types of Ageism
Misperceptions about old age are common in the media and social media. For example, people use terms like “geezer,” “cranky,” and “demented” to describe elders. One study looked at Facebook Groups with creators at a mean age of 20-29. The conclusion was that in all but one group, 74% of people excoriated older individuals, 27% infantilized them, and 37% advocated banning them from public activities like shopping.4
Ageism also presents as the use of patronizing language and changes in speech patterns when speaking to older persons. This happens when the speaker receives physical cues that the person they’re talking to is old despite signs that they are mentally and socially alert.5 Even young children unknowingly internalize negative societal perceptions about the elderly and incorporate these beliefs into their thinking as they age. A research report reveals, “children as young as fourth grade already hold negative views towards old age.”6
What Is the Impact of Ageism on Mental Health?
Those on the receiving end of ageism can internalize these negative perceptions. Exposure to negative age stereotypes has been significantly associated with anxiety, depression, lower self-esteem, higher blood pressure, and even poorer performance on cognitive assessments.7
These negative stereotypes are as hurtful to the elderly as they would be to anybody. Negative messaging on an individual basis and throughout the media perpetuates and reinforces these inaccurate myths. The end result for seniors is self-doubt, insecurity, low self-worth, and a sense of being a burden to those around them.
Does Ageism Impact Physical Health?
Ageism can have a direct impact on the physical health of the elderly. Cox mentions the severity of the problems that ageism can cause: “The World Health Organization is particularly interested in the impact of ageism on health and sees it as a global challenge. It affects longevity as those with ageist attitudes live an average of 7.5 years less than those with positive attitudes about aging, have slower recovery from disability, and are less likely to be socially integrated. Ageism affects the care and treatment that older adults often receive, often being denied care based on their age. The pandemic and the terrible toll it took on residents in nursing homes is a vivid illustration of extreme ageism and the neglect and indifference that it can have on the lives of older people.”
Ageism can also be a factor in terms of whether or not elderly patients receive medical care. Despite the fact that seniors are significant participants in the healthcare system, there is evidence that they are discriminated against. The Institute of Medicine discovered “negative attitudes towards older adults persist in the health care community, across professional disciplines, and across care settings. Ageist stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination, are potential barriers for health equality, in terms of the quantity and quality of care provided to older patients and their health-related outcomes.”9
Stereotypes Based on Age
Ageism is all around us whether we are aware of it or not. Even seemingly harmless labels like “senior moment” could be construed as discriminatory. It’s also not uncommon for someone to speak to an elderly person as if they were a child or to speak very loud and slow based on the false assumption that because you are a senior you must have a hearing loss or be in cognitive decline.
Telemarketers and criminals have also developed all kinds of illegal methods to identify and target seniors. Their goal is to do whatever they can to scam them and steal their money and other valuable possessions. They do this because they have a stereotyped perception that all seniors are easy victims because they are vulnerable, incompetent, and senile.
Sociologist Anne Karpf, an expert on aging, commented on society’s perceptions regarding its senior citizens. She writes, “Older people are likely to be seen as a burden and a drain on resources, rather than as a resource in themselves.”10
4 Examples of Ageism
Taking a closer look at ageism reveals that it stems from fear, anxiety, and uncertainty about one’s future and mortality in general.11 This misplacement of anxiety perpetuates false beliefs regarding what seniors can and cannot do.
Here are four ageism examples:
1. Workplace Ageism
Employers and colleagues may harbor negative attitudes and erroneous beliefs about senior members of their workforce. Employers can be reluctant to promote senior members because their wages and benefits may be greater because of longer employment, potentially along with the misguided belief that their skills are decreasing due to age. Some employers won’t hire someone because of their age, even though this is considered age discrimination and is illegal.
2. Media & Ageism
In recent years, film and television actors, writers, and directors have talked openly about the lack of roles for women over 40. They have talked about their dismay in terms of opportunities for older writers and the way seniors are portrayed in these media venues. Film and television directly impacts our culture and shapes beliefs, perceptions, and values.8
3. Healthcare & Ageism
Research dollars tend to go toward treatments and drug trials for younger people even though the elderly have more chronic health problems. More aggressive treatments and life-saving measures are reserved for a younger population.
4. Societal Views & Ageism
There are many societal and cultural misperceptions regarding seniors that negatively impact the way other people interact with them. Misperceptions include:
- Seniors are unable to learn new things
- Seniors are incapable of remembering things and have cognitive deficits
- Seniors are unable to understand and use technology
- Seniors are rigid and inflexible (“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”)
- Seniors are lonely and depressed
- Seniors are always sick, dependent, and fragile
How to Respond to Ageism
Paul Irving, Director of the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging, describes “self-empowered aging” as a way to combat ageism as you age. This involves “taking control of one’s life,” taking risks, building confidence, assuming power over personal circumstances, and developing resilience to overcome inevitable challenges.10
Cox says, “Responses to ageism are similar to responses in dealing with other types of discrimination. Persons, including older adults, need to be aware of their own biases, expectations, and stereotypes. If one expects to become frail and dependent, it is easy to accept that role. Once the role is accepted, others reinforce it through their actions. Consequently, recognizing that stereotypes are a basis for oppression and that age is not a necessary predictor of one’s worth or productivity, is basic to combating ageism. Acknowledging the contributions of older adults to society and the significant roles they continue to play undermines the concept of ageism.”
Here are some action steps that seniors and others can take to battle the stigma of ageism:
- Seniors can participate in their own self-empowerment and demonstrate they are productive and important contributors to society
- Raise public awareness of ageism and its implications to influence the reduction, frequency, and scope of its occurrence
- Stand up to ageism when it occurs and openly address and challenge it
- Participate in advocacy groups like American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
- Educate others to help them understand the positive aspects and value of aging
- Create opportunities for ongoing meaningful cross-generational contacts between seniors and younger people so they can strengthen bonds and relationships and dispel myths
- Educate yourself about social and legislative policy and support programs that assist seniors and support these efforts
Researchers looked at the consequences for elderly people who faced ageism and described it as a significant threat to their well-being. They went on to say their research suggested that educational efforts to address the representations of illness and death can change how society perceives and understands aging.12
How Therapy Can Help People Impacted by Ageism
Therapy and counseling can offer healing to those negatively affected by ageism. It can support seniors as they transition into old age, helping them differentiate between the normal aspects of aging and potential problem areas. Therapists can also help their clients recognize skills and coping mechanisms to overcome inevitable challenges, losses, and adversities.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy commonly used in cases of ageism. It helps people alter negative thoughts and feelings, reframing them in a more positive way. You can find a qualified therapist in your area with experience in gerontology through an online directory. Their familiarity with the universal issues faced by seniors will make therapy a more fulfilling experience.
Family Therapy & Support Groups
Family therapy can be a useful tool for those working through aging and caregiving. A family therapist can help family members gain a better understanding of the abilities of a loved one, which is especially relevant if they’re assuming a caregiving role.
There are often differences in opinion regarding what type of help is necessary between family members and their senior loved ones. A trained mental health professional can help all involved parties communicate and sort out emotions, fears, and feelings related to a loved one aging. Check with an individual therapist, doctor, or gerontologist in your area to find out if family therapy is available.
Some seniors gain comfort, support, and companionship from attending community groups and being with their peers. Groups can be a source of education as well. Some are run by healthcare professionals with experience in geriatrics and others are run by senior peers. Places like adult day programs and senior centers offer a wealth of activities and group programs. You can find information regarding senior community groups in your area through AARP.
Final Thoughts on Dealing With Ageism
Ageism attempts to marginalize elderly members of our society and culture. Instead, we should be honoring the individuality, experience, knowledge, and uniqueness of our elders. This form of discrimination is a real problem, but researchers have found that interventions combining elements of education and intergenerational contact had the largest effect on people’s attitudes towards older adults.13
