Ageism: What It Is & How to Respond

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 impacts of ageism can include:²

• A decreased will to live
• Less desire to live a healthy lifestyle
• Impaired recovery from illness
• Increased stress
• Shortened lifespan

The History of the Term Ageism

The term ageism was originally coined by gerontologist and psychiatrist Robert N. Butler in 1969 who used it to describe a form of discrimination against people based on their age, particularly targeting the elderly. He believed that ageism was a deep-seated bias in society that warranted acknowledgment and action, just like racism and sexism. Dr. Butler’s work was key in drawing attention to the negative stereotypes, discrimination, and ostracism faced by older individuals and advocating for their rights and dignity.^4,5,6

Since the introduction of the concept of ageism, it has gained recognition and become a subject of extensive academic study and advocacy, thus bringing a broader understanding about its prevalence and how anyone, young or old, can be mistreated because of their age.

What Causes Someone to Adopt Ageist Behaviors?

Ageism is 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 asserts that the longer someone maintains the illusion of appearing young, the longer they can maintain acceptability under society’s unrealistic expectations and standards.¹

Even young children unknowingly internalize negative societal perceptions about the elderly and incorporate these beliefs into their thinking as they age. One research report revealed that children as young as fourth grade have already developed negative attitudes toward older people.⁹

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.⁷

Ageism also presents as the use of patronizing language and changes in speech patterns when speaking to older people. 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.⁸

Ageism Examples

Taking a closer look at ageism reveals that it stems from fear, anxiety, and uncertainty about one’s future and mortality in general.¹⁰ This misplacement of anxiety perpetuates false beliefs regarding what seniors can and cannot do.

Here are four examples of ageism:

1. Examples of 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. Ageism in Media Representation

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.¹¹

3. Examples of Ageism in Healthcare

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 on Age

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

Signs of Ageism

Ageism can have a profound impact on people contributing to societal inequalities and injustices. Although ageism is mostly associated with negative attitudes toward aging and the elderly, it can affect both younger and older generations with acts ranging from mild discrimination to more blunt prejudicial practices.

Some signs of ageism include:^12,13

• Disrespectful comments about someone’s age
• Being forced to live in certain housing communities
• Inability to access academic opportunities
• Being excluded from a group in the workplace or school setting
• Being overlooked for employment, a pay increase, or promotion
• Getting fired or being pressured into early retirement
• Not having the opportunity to collect benefits such as paid time off
• Having a person’s opinions, feedback, or ideas disregarded
• Diminished access to medical treatment due to age
• Mental health professionals’ reluctance to work with people of certain ages

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.¹⁴

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.

How Ageism Harms 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.”

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 that ageist stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination persist across a variety of disciplines and care settings.¹⁵

Stereotypes Based on Age

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: “Older people are likely to be seen as a burden and a drain on resources, rather than as a resource in themselves.”¹⁶

How to Respond to Ageism

“Self-empowered aging” is a way to combat ageism as you get older. This philosophy involves “taking control of one’s life,” taking risks, building confidence, assuming power over personal circumstances, and developing resilience to overcome inevitable challenges.¹⁶

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

How Do I Report Age Discrimination?

According to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), it’s illegal to discriminate against anyone age 40 or older due to their age in the workplace. This includes any violations to the terms or conditions of employment, like hiring, promotions, layoffs, etc. It’s generally recommended that incidents are documented and then brought forth to a manager or human resources representative. If the problem isn’t resolved, then a formal complaint can be reported within 45 days of the alleged discriminatory event with the U.S. Department Civil Rights Division to ensure the right to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEO).

There are various options for filing a complaint after being subjected to age or any other type of discrimination from a healthcare facility or individual healthcare practitioner. A grievance can be delivered via phone, completed online, faxed, or mailed. Although a person can opt to remain anonymous, they’ll need to provide the date and an in-depth explanation of the alleged incident. For more detailed information and resources, visit the Human Rights Campaign organization or the U.S Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

How Is Ageism Combatted Systemically?

Ageism continues to be a serious social concern which, according to the American Psychological Association (APA), must be addressed the same way as race, gender, and disability discrimination. As such, finding methods to combat this type of bias in the workplace, healthcare system, and other settings is crucial.^12,13

Some interventions that can be effective for combating ageism include:^12,13

• Intergenerational interventions: Bringing people of all ages together and promoting interactions to diminish misconceptions and negative attitudes toward aging.
• Education: Deliberately educating individuals of all ages so they can gain a better understanding about the aging process, ageism, and its impacts.
• Policy Changes: Setting and enforcing practices across different institutions to raise awareness, ensure inclusion, and so forth to create an age-integrated society.

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 therapist 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.