Ageism, or age discrimination, is very real and problematic. It’s been particularly challenging during the Covid pandemic. As COVID-19 spreads throughout the United States and the rest of the world, the resulting disruptions to the economy mean that it is highly likely the incidence of age discrimination will increase. This may include employers laying off older staff members or not considering older candidates when rehiring. This short-term thinking ignores long-term consequences that will affect people of all ages. Nature Aging
At any age you can experience ageism. When I turned 30, I found I had “aged out” of men in their 30s as they wanted 20 somethings. However, I had aged into men 40 and up who thought I was a more "datable" age. In my 40s, men joked about turning in their 40 for two 20s. And so it goes. However, AARP conducted a survey which found that people at 45 start experiencing discrimination in the workplace.
That’s a pretty low number and when combined with having a chronic condition, that can be downright frightening.
While there is plenty of research that shows the critical need to hire and retain the older worker, the stereotypes exist, making it very difficult for people as they age to find gainful and meaningful employment. It’s not just about the income and benefits that they can miss out on, it’s the impact on self-worth and sense of purpose that are also impacted.
Older people who don’t feel useful are three times more likely to develop a disability and four times more likely to die prematurely, compared with counterparts who do feel useful. In short, if 30-plus years as a professional are suddenly thoroughly discounted by the business world, the effect on your health and longevity is undeniable.
Ageism is part of healthcare.
- A patient’s complaints are dismissed and potentially not treated because of their age.
- They are talked down to and treated like children, with conversations taking place between the care giver and provider without including the patient. “Elderspeak” is very real as people often speak loudly, slowly, and with exaggeration.
- Providers and staff have stereotypical ideas of elders. Some providers may have a negative bias as they’d prefer not to be reminded that they too will age. Assumptions are often made that an elder is cognitively impaired.
- When surrounded by a group of frail elderly, assumptions can be easily made that all elderly fall into this category. Even frail elderly can still be quite capable
- Elderly adults with multiple chronic conditions are often excluded from clinical trials
- Conditions can be over treated if medical providers offer health recommendations based on age without conducting proper assessments
- Bias can be against the older adult in favor of the younger patient, such as a child or new mother
- The elderly, particularly if they have a chronic condition, are targeted by scammers, drug companies and businesses. Commercials, be it TV, print or social media, are aimed to separate the senior from their often limited income with promises of treatments that have a snowballs chance in hell of actually working.
Self-Ageism is also a factor, particularly when symptoms are just chalked up to old age and are not checked out. Preventive measures such as wearing a seat belt, eating healthy, exercising, limiting alcohol etc. are dropped because “I’m too old for that.” Sadly, the “I’m too old for that attitude” can begin for some people in their 40s.
These factors can lead to many conditions going undiagnosed and/or properly treated. This is turn leads to emotional, social and physical issues including pain; cognitive impairment; fatigue; isolation, depression, anxiety and stress; unnecessary harm; and unnecessary expenditures.
Age has some terrific attributes, which sometimes go un noticed until the skill sets are desperately needed. When my town was devastated by a flood 10 years ago, it was our elders that not only repaired the roads, but they showed the community how to thrive though the situation was challenging. One 85 year old woman kept us informed about her part of town by sending daily e-mails. We couldn’t find another man, who was about 90, as he was driving and directing people through back roads that people didn’t know existed. I never saw my community look so youthful as so many of our elders hit the ground running and knew they were making an important contribution.
DEALING WITH
AGEISM: Below are 5 ways
to reduce the negative impacts of ageism while at the same time enjoying the
perks.
1. Develop habits and practices that promote health and well-being: The Blue Zones Power 9 & the Harvard Study of Adult Development: Blue Zones has been studying what the oldest living societies on earth have in common, while the Harvard Study is one of the world’s longest studies of adult life. Both of these studies have drawn similar conclusions:
• Invest in family, friends and community: Our relationships and how happy we are in them has a powerful influence on our health. Close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives. Those ties protect people from life’s discontents, help to delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes. Loneliness kills. The key to healthy aging is relationships, relationships, relationships. In addition to your friendships and family, support your community by volunteering and definitely have friends of all ages.
• Purpose: Having a sense of purpose and meaning in your life is important at any age, but is most critical as we get older. Check out some previous posts on this topic:
- Do you feel that you matter?
-
We All Have Purpose Even When We Think We Don’t
• Move naturally: The world’s longest-lived people don’t pump iron, run marathons or join gyms. Instead, they live in environments that constantly nudge them into moving without thinking about it. They grow gardens and don’t have mechanical conveniences for house and yard work.
• Down Shift: Stress leads to chronic inflammation, associated with every major age-related disease. Take a Break daily: Need ideas? Check out over 400 ways at the Take a Break Pinterest Board
• You are what you eat & drink:
- Follow the 80% rule, stop eating when your stomach is 80% full
- Eat your smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening
- Plant slant. Beans are the cornerstone of most centenarian diets. Limit meat
- Wine @ 5 Drink moderately. Do not abuse alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Don’t smoke
Check out the TED talks
How to Live to be 100+ (Dan Buettner of Blue Zones)
What Makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness (Robert Waldinger Harvard Study)
2. Be a life-long learner-Never stop learning. Take courses be it relating to work, hobbies or any areas of interest. Being willing to learn new ideas and skills keeps your brain nimble, a better employee, and a better problem solver. The Internet offers lots of opportunities to learn new things so it’s important to stay current on how this technology is changing.
4. Know your
rights/Speak up: It’s
against the law for employers to discriminate on the basis of age. Familiarize
yourself with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act so you can recognize
and respond to discrimination in your workplace. Don’t be pushed around in the
workplace, doctor’s office or with family or friends. Speak up.
5. Be as independent as you can be: Learned helplessness is a real thing. Don’t assume you can’t do something because of your age. Can’t find a job? Check out AARP’s Work for Yourself @50+
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