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AGEISM

1/8/2021

8 Comments

 
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The World Health Organisation states, ‘Ageism refers to the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age.’
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Classifying or stereotyping of our elderly members of the community is a large contributor to what makes them feel invisible and not seen or appreciated for who they are. ​
Might it be smarter and more supportive to recognise and appreciate the potential our elderly folk have to offer the world around them, regardless of their age, and give them the space or platform to be more included during their elder years?

There is often a stigma around ageing where there is a tendency to regard older persons as debilitated and unworthy of interest or attention. A very prevalent belief is that they are unsuitable for employment.

There is an insidious undercurrent of thought about what it is to be getting older that becomes a truth if we don’t challenge or arrest that belief.

We have all read or heard the reports from elderly people where they have received outward discriminatory remarks from younger employers, colleagues, neighbours, or family members. They are often seen as a burden on society rather than a wealth of wisdom that can be harnessed for the benefit of the community.
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The Australian Human Rights Commission states, ‘Young, old and everyone in between – Australians of all ages, have the right to be treated fairly and to enjoy the same opportunities as others.’
 
Have you noticed ageism in your community and if so, what would you like to see happen to support your elderly folk to lead more inclusive, full lives?
 
We invite you to share your insights and concerns on this super important topic.
8 Comments
Gayle
2/7/2021 11:51:10 am

A very few years ago I hadn't even heard the term 'Ageism'. And even after I started seeing it in articles, I didn't really connect. Was it a new illness plaguing the Baby Boomers? I finally looked it up. Oh my - it was a shock to realise that I was in that category where I could / would be discriminated against because of my age. I might be considered too old to be competent! Wow.

Because we are living longer - and many of us are taking better care of our health, our physical bodies, we are capable much further in life than they were in earlier generations. Somebody recently said to me "Oh, 70 is the new 50." I called them out on that because I'm now 70 and there are many physical things that I cannot do like I did when I was 50. But still, I feel vital, alive and like I have much to contribute yet - even in my 70s. Lets be the generation who puts a new meaning on Ageism - it can represent our Elder Wisdom, eh!

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Lynne
2/7/2021 01:52:19 pm

Yes Gayle, it's so true. I also had to research the meaning of 'ageism' to understand what it meant. I'd never been affected by it (that I'm aware of anyway) and so it had never been a 'thing' for me. However since I've had it bought to my attention I've been taking a bit more notice and I suspect it's more prevalent than I'd considered. Just yesterday an elder lady told me that she'd recently experienced a young man saying to her "Oh it's just my bad luck to get an old woman to help me".

Even though I've not experienced outward discrimination, I'm becoming acutely aware of the underlying beliefs that I've aligned with. For instance, there's been a thought running that I'm now too old to do the kind of work I'd been involved with previously. Of course that is not true. Just because I no longer have the 'look' or present the 'image' that organisations are wanting to project, does not mean I am no longer capable of the same quality of work.

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Bernadette Curtin
16/7/2021 07:12:23 am

If we take responsibility for our health and wellbeing throughout our life, it is very possible to remain actively engaged and purposeful in life in our elder years. Sometimes the older generation give themselves a ‘bad name’ by giving up on life, becoming grumpy, overweight, bitter, stiff and immobile, subjects of lifestyle preventable diseases or self entitlement. However everyone deserves respect and care whatever their age.

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Lynne
16/7/2021 09:07:00 am

Good point Bernadette! So when we take the approach that it's our 'right' to live with our reactions to others, to have our food and distraction addictions, and whatever else is in our own box of rules, we are thereby living to the demand of our own desires!! Yes, so true!

I can relate to this. One of the ways this ruled my life (and still can if I'm not staying aware) was when I would react to what another was doing or saying that I 'couldn't' agree with or accept. My pattern had been, for most of my life, to go to food and TV. (For many years I used alcohol to numb myself as well.) This behaviour mostly left me feeling, at the very least, flat and a bit depressed. I knew it left me feeling a bit 'ick' but I would still choose it.

However when I take responsibility for my own feelings about things and not expect others to be how I want them be I have less reaction in myself. I then don't feel the need to go to the food and TV for comfort and instead more often choosing to observe life, thereby more caring of myself and those I interact with, who in the past would have felt my judgement and resentment.

This attitude does affect us long term. I know my body feels much less free of aches and pains when I'm in the flow of life and not holding onto an old hurt that I felt justified to be annoyed about for years. My body tells me what's there to let go of and if I'm being obstinate or vague and don't want to address it the pain persists until I get to what it is that I need to accept or release. Hence now in my late 60's, I feel pretty light and flexible for someone my age whereas I have no doubt that I would not be feeling this way if I'd not done the inner work I have committed to over the years.

Ageing really can be a joy!!

Reply
Annie Mack
2/8/2021 02:06:10 pm

Only yesterday I was having a phone catch up with a very dear friend and during our conversation she was recalling a saying that her own mother used to say, which she had to admit that when she was younger it irked her to hear it! However as she has aged she finds herself saying this from time to time. I had never heard the saying before "you can't put an old head on young shoulders". However I actually really like it's simplicity, it felt to me like it was allowing space for the younger person to come to their own realisation and to find their own wisdom in their own time.

To be honest I am not quite sure what this has to do with 'Ageism' but it did give me an appreciation of the graciousness that we can allow to be a part of us as we do indeed age. Do I feel that I have been subjected to 'Ageism' in a derogatory sense, to be honest from time to time I have, but it is always my choice how I decide to respond to this.

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Gayle
3/8/2021 12:11:57 pm

Recently I've noticed how I express negatively about 'ageing'. Not that I even necessarily feel that ageing is a 'bad' thing but just out of speaking carelessly, I might say something like "Getting old isn't easy" - or "Getting old isn't for sissies". Or if I find I can't take a really big step while out hiking, I might might say, or at least think, how I hate not being able to climb the way I used to. It sets a negative vibration about getting old that doesn't really help the situation at all. I'm now on the look out for my own expressions of ageism - against myself.

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Sandra Newland
31/10/2021 07:30:02 am

Great point Gayle, to be 'on the look out for my own expressions of ageism - against myself'.

I rarely express ageism against another but I know I have such thoughts against myself and, by doing so, I am still contributing to the consciousness of ageism.

You have made me more aware of this and how even that subtle disapproval of the sags and wrinkles lays a harsh judgement on oneself and is undermining. It is a form of abuse.

So, Yes to being on the look out.



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Rosemary Liebe
6/11/2021 10:06:43 pm

Yes I tend to agree Gayle and Sandra....we must be vigilant with the thoughts of ageism within ourselves as that is what we project out and perhaps we may even solicit the reactions we receive. Having worked for many years amongst a very diverse group of people of all ages, myself being one of the eldest there, I have experienced receiving ageism on occasion but I also know that when I am in the flow and feel truly vibrant and alive that that is seen above and beyond my ageing body....it is an energy and beauty that is seen and felt by all....I have experienced situations where there is no feeling of age, just people interacting from a sense of themselves and everyone in the group or perhaps in a one on one conversation, totally respecting the other and all thoughts and feelings are held equally relevant regardless of how young or older those involved are. So I feel being vigilant and aware with our "ageing" thoughts and not allowing ourselves to be taken in by them leaves space for us to be who we truly are, and the more we are able to do that, and it is an ongoing process for me, the more we undo the consciousness of ageing and the ageism that goes hand in hand with that consciousness.

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