It is very
common for older adults to face discrimination in housing, health, and other
key services. They may be treated as burdens on services, excluded from or
simply refused admission to services.
Learn to recognize when "neutral policies" are not
"neutral" in their effect on seniors. Also recognize how ageism
intersects with other "isms" such as sexism or racism.
As most of
you know there are many posts on this blog the discuss ageism. I suggest that
you go through each one and make notes.
Most of the posts have references and it is important to investigate
them.
Todd Nelson
has put together a book entitled Ageism[i]:
Stereotyping and Prejudice Against Older Persons. In the Preface of the book he has a section entitled Origins
of Ageism. The following material was gathered from
there. “ Citing other authors he tells us that “ people have multiple, often
contradictory views of older persons.
For instance “…today’s elders are seen as incompetent (low status) but
warm (passive). It has also
been suggested, “…age prejudice arises out of a fear of our own mortality.
In another
chapter in the book some authors are cited as saying that “…children learn age
prejudice at a very early age.”
[i] Todd D.
Nelson edits book. Published in 2002 Ageism: Stereotyping and Prejudice Against
Older adults. Published by A Bradford Book, The MIT Press, Cambridge
Massachusetts, London, England
ISBN 0-262-14077-2 (hc. : alk. Paper)