Define AGEISM AGEISM o Systematic stereotyping of o Discrimination against people because they are old Similar to Racism or Sexism o Ageism occurs when there is any prejudice or discrimination against or in favor of an age group Attitudinal Stereotypes Beliefs o EX All elderly people are blind deaf demented etc Older adults may internalize there attitudes Behavioral Discrimination Inappropriate negative treatment o At some point we will all be vulnerable to the effects of ageism Theoretical Basis of Ageism o Fear od death in Western society o Emphasis on the youth culture Many things that say STAY YOUTFUL EX Wrinkle Cream Viagra o Emphasis on productivity o Manner in which aging originally researched Problems with Ageism o Prevents full participation in Social networks Occupation Families Outcomes of Ageism o Isolation from the community o Inadequate housing and income o Unnecessary institutionalization o Untreated mental and physical illnesses Ageism studying previously was only done at Nursing Homes Intersects with other systems of Quality New Ageism o Tendency to help older adults because all older people must need help o Ageism takes many forms Media Ageism in the Media o Images have improved over time But older adults remain underrepresented in films TV Anti Aging Ads o Pressure to hide signs of aging o Justify ageism Gender and the Media o Women o Men Appearance Performance Relationships Interactions with family members can be demoralizing to older adults Too much care o Promote excessive dependence Often excuse patronizing behavior of family Healthcare Examples of Medical Ageism o Physicians and older patients Limit number of older patients Invest less time with older patients Older women s concerns trivialized o Mental o Geriatrics Prescription vs Therapy Poorly reimbursed o Long Term Care Options funding Long term care Clinical trials Geriatrics Medical School Workplace Ageism and Employment o Age based employment discrimination o More entrenched than other types of discrimination o Fastest growing form of complaints to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission o Perceptions of Age Bias o Negative stereotypes about aging productivity o Older workers perceived as Disinterested in promotion Less flexible Expensive for the organization Ageism and Public Policy o Criticized as benefiting the old at the expense of the young EX Healthcare utilization Strategies to Reduce Ageism o Reducing individual ageism Slogans benefits of aging media personal contact models of successful aging o Changing social structures Economy family housing EX Residential segregation Combating Ageism o Challenges Reluctance to cite ageism Education Knowledge is power FOCUS ON Healthcare settings Educate judges jurors on age discrimination Formal education continued education Needs based vs age based programs Build intergenerational programs coalitions Young come with old
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