Earlier this week, Northwest Neighbors Village (NNV) joined communities across the country to recognize Ageism Awareness Day. Since ageism has significant consequences on the health and wellbeing of individuals and society as a whole, I sat down with a group of NNV members and volunteers to get their perspectives on ageism and what we can do to challenge negative stereotypes. Here’s what we discussed:

There are some very avoidable examples of ageism. For starters, the restaurant where we met was crowded and noisy, making it challenging to hear one another. Oversights in acoustics, lighting, and physical accessibility are missed opportunities for creating a welcoming environment for all ages. One member shared her frustration with medical providers who blame symptoms on "old age" without further exploration. Another pointed out how widely accepted the term "anti-aging" is, even though the term is illusory. Another member mentioned how crossword puzzles tend to include cultural references familiar to younger age groups. She also reminded us how rapid advancements in technology have widened the generational gap. We agreed that ageism shows up everywhere - in media, advertising, healthcare, the workforce, and in the design and infrastructure of our communities.

There are common changes that come with age. There is no denying that physical and cognitive changes occur as we get older. Unfortunately, these often lead to stereotypes and preconceived notions of what it is like to age. A couple of members discussed how these stereotypes influenced their decisions to delay medical care because acknowledging these normal physical changes felt like admitting they were "old". As a society, we often reference the changes with aging to be indicative of a decline in functioning and ability, and equate getting older with being frail. We agreed that we can do a better job of counterbalancing that perception by celebrating the opportunities that getting older provide.

We can take proactive steps. The group agreed that raising awareness about ageism and talking about getting older without judgment can help to change people’s attitudes about aging. The group also felt that providing education on issues related to aging, as well as making resources readily accessible, both empowers older adults and raises awareness for people of all ages.

Get involved. We invite you to join us to start conversations about ageism and play a role in challenging negative stereotypes about aging. Let us know your thoughts on this topic and your ideas to change the narrative on what it means to get older, by emailing us at info@nnvdc.org.

Kind regards,
Stephanie

P.S. If you are not involved with NNV now is the time! Our members will inspire you with their wisdom, experience, and - at times - grit! Visit our website nnvdc.org to learn more about the many opportunities to get involved and help us realize our vision of a generous, supportive, inclusive community where all older adults are valued, age with dignity, and enjoy opportunities for growth and engagement.