As I already looked into issues with ageism such as the economic effects, shortage of workers, changing sectors within industry and as populations continue to grow older, it is imperative that governments design innovative policies specifically targeted to the needs of older persons, including those addressing housing, employment, health care, social protection and other forms of intergenerational support.
My research to this point led me to look at design related to ageism which made me think more about the attitudes towards ageism and choices people make towards old people. I wanted to look more into how older people can be beneficial to society, and how we can build a better society for old people. This research was key to seeing that old people are empowered, skilled, healthy and able to contribute fully to society.
How can we build a better society for older people? The Guardian
I discovered from a reliable Guardian article that society is failing to value and harness older people’s skills, knowledge and experience. Some 92% of the 1,250 respondents to the ageing population research believe that older adults’ contribution to society is not recognised. Furthermore on the whole the public view older people as a drain on society instead of an asset. Then to contrast this finding out some astounding facts about old people changed my perspective, as older people in the UK contribute an estimated £61bn to the economy through employment, volunteering and caring.
“Older people are mostly seen as a bundle of problems and service-needs. Their strengths, skills and knowledge are not harnessed or appreciated in a society infatuated by the cult of youth.”
The article also delved into stereotypes surrounding old people such old people being seen as a shorthand for ill-health, inactivity and decline and therefore that stereotype can happen. There is also a stereotype of older people as being anti-youth. Also the stereotype of well off retirees who maybe took early retirement, own a couple of properties and take frequent holidays abroad.
The article is split into sections which provided me valuable proof of the problems around ageing. And the most useful sections were what role do older people play in society at the moment? and how is the environment geared towards (or against) older people taking part in their communities?
For what what role do older people play in society at the moment, it made me realise the change older people in the UK have been through. They have a wealth of skills and experiences from different decades and have lived through situations others cannot even imagine, and yet we continue to dismiss these lifetimes of experiences when they begin to need care and support and instead people become a list of care needs. Yes have contributed for many decades which is something which is often forgotten but even the simple things are forgotten like looking after grandchildren which is helping society.
Their is a number of things for how the environment geared towards (or against) older people taking part in their communities. Such as most people over 65 walk more slowly than the 1.2 metres per second that is assumed at pedestrian crossings. The result is older people rushing to get across a road as the lights turn to green and the traffic begins to move. Other small things, like well placed benches for people to rest if they can’t walk so well, public toilet provision and thoughtful use of lighting and colour to aid those with dementia can be the difference between being active and housebound for old people.
Who are you calling old? Let’s ditch ageist stereotypes. The Guardian
As ever for this brief The Guardian provided a great source of research for ageism related topics, one article goes into much depth into how language is used to stereotype old people and how the different age groups are considered old now.
It asks the questions of how we can come up with positive or non-judgmental language? Factual descriptions without negative imagery? Such as “older adults”? That’s about the closest I can think to a fairer description that allows people to be considered as individuals rather than stereotypes. The article acts as a protest in its self as it demands that it’s time to shed the labels. Describing someone by their age should be as unacceptable as describing them by their gender, race, religion or skin colour. These characteristics do not necessarily signify fitness for work, recruitment for a particular position, or training for certain skills.
Ageism in more depth
Contrary to common and more obvious forms of stereotyping, such as racism and sexism, ageism is more resistant to change. For instance, if a child believes in an ageist idea against the elderly, fewer people correct them, and, as a result, individuals grow up believing in ageist ideas, even elders themselves. In other words, ageism can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ageist beliefs against the elderly is common place in today's society. For example, an older person who forgets something could be quick to call it a "senior moment," failing to realize the ageism of that statement. People also often say ageist phrases such as "dirty old man" or "second childhood," and elders sometimes miss the ageist undertones.
Ageism appears in many forms. A few examples illustrate how the behaviour of an older person is described in an ageist manner, where the same behavior by a younger person is explained without stereotypes. When older people forget someone's name, they are viewed as senile. When a younger person fails to recall a name, we usually say he or she has a faulty memory. When an older person complains about life or a particular incident, they are called cranky and difficult, while a younger person may just be seen as being critical. If an older person has trouble hearing, she is dismissed as "getting old," rather than having difficulty with her hearing. Children also can hold negative stereotypes about older people. Some young children equate aging with being sick, unfulfilled, unhappy, or dying.
Older people also face stereotypes on the job. The most common stereotypes about older workers are that older workers are less productive, more expensive, less adaptable, and more rigid than younger workers. As with stereotypes about other groups, the facts refute the stereotypes. While studies show that interest, motivation, and skill do not decline with age, some employers continue to perceive older workers as resistant to change, slow to learn new skills, and uncomfortable with new technologies. Studies consistently demonstrate that there is no correlation between age and job performance, despite the common stereotype that productivity declines with age.
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