Fighting Ageism

Fighting Ageism

By Amy Gorely

Guest post on Changing Aging with Dr. Bill Thomas

Be bold, claim old. When I mention this phrase in my campaign to fight ageism, I am often greeted with nervous laughter, an inquisitive look or a resounding “yes!”  

It’s meant to be provocative. It’s meant to be a powerful call to action. I am fed up with living in a society that is obsessed with youth and assigns little value to old age.  

The dread of aging is embedded early with negative “over the hill” birthday messages for anyone over 29. Each year following, we head in the opposite direction of what our society values most – youth. READ MORE

 

Beginning the Conversation About Ageism by Jane Sherwin

LeadingAge members have long been aware of the rapid growth in America’s older adult population and the challenges this shift represents. The need for housing, staff and clinical support is vividly evident. But a growing number of organizations and policy makers are beginning to concentrate on another aspect of aging: the extent to which it is perceived as a loss of ability and hope rather than a third stage of growth filled with opportunity.

The word for this is “ageism". . . READ MORE