I recently came across interesting research by a Yale professor and researcher in my gerontology studies that demonstrate the link between ageism and poor health. Ageism is pervasive. Globally, ageism has lead to poorer health outcomes among older adult populations in developed and lesser-developed countries alike.
Perhaps it may be helpful to provide a definition of ageism before we go further. Ageism can be either interpersonal or institutional, or both. Interpersonal ageism can be described as discrimination or bias that occurs between 2 or more people through everyday interactions. It is what aging professionals refer to as “everyday ageism” Institutional ageism refers to systemic laws, attitudes, policies that unfairly discriminate against persons based solely on their age. When we assume an older adult is not good with technology, or we offer help where it is not wanted or needed, we are perpetuating ageism.
What’s worse is that we internalize these age stereotypes across the lifespan. Research indicates that we are exposed to ageist messaging from as young as 6 years old. When we think of the cumulative exposure to those negative attitudes about aging over our life course, it is no wonder we do not internalize them. Ageism may be the only form of discrimination in which we bet against our future selves.
We begin to believe those repeated messages that age is associated with decline, both physical and mental. Internalizing this messaging is particularly harmful to us as we become older. Our stress levels increase as we fear that decline. We start moving slower, and start withdrawing from our social groups because that’s what “society” expects of an older person. It is sort of like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Less physical activity, reduced social engagement and increased stress levels leads to inflammation which is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
The antidote: Disrupt ageism by adopting positive attitudes towards aging.
We have a very long way to go before society views ageism as unacceptable, the same way most would agree (at least explicitly) racism and sexism are unacceptable and harmful. At Silver Blossoms we are working hard for an ageism-free future.
