1.
THE LANGUAGE OF AGEISM: BARRIERS AND STRATEGIES
TRACEY GENDRON AND AYN WELLEFORD

2.
• Ageism – stereotyping and discriminating
against individuals or groups on the basis of
their age (Butler, 1969)
• Aging Anxiety – the fear of growing old
• Gerontophobia – the fear of older adults/
elderly

3.
What forms might ageism take?
Aging Anxiety/
Gerontophobia
Internalized AgeismInternalized Microaggression
Explicit Bias
Implicit Bias or
Unconscious Bias
Microaggression

4.
Ageism – Explicit Bias
Explicit bias requires that a person has awareness of
their judgments as well as the corresponding belief that
their evaluation is correct in some manner
Examples Old people
are grumpy
Old people
can’t drive

5.
The Language of Implicit Bias
She has a young
spirit or a young
heart
He looks younger
everyday
94 years old
and still sharp
as a tack

6.
The Language of Internalized Ageism
I’m not old…I’m
just more
mature!”
76 years old and when
asked if she considers
herself to be old she
says “Nope!” and then
continues to refer to
the other residents as
“old people”
Health is for the
young, when you
are our age you
do the best you
can

7.
What we
say
Aging Tsunami
You’re too
young to
remember
this but…
Has a young
spirit
Senior
moment
What we
mean
??
??
??
??

8.
AGEISM IN ASSISTED LIVING: WHAT WE KNOW & WHAT WE NEED
TO LEARN
JENNIFER INKER AND JENNIFER PRYOR

9.
Why would ageism exist in
assisted living?
• It’s in society.
– But not widely recognized.
– Even when recognized, its harms are not.
• The setting may encourage it.
• Resident acuity may trigger it.

10.
What forms might ageism take?
Over-
accommodating
Stigmatizing

11.
EXAMPLES OF AGEISM WE SEE
EVERYDAY

12.
What we say:
“Where do you
think you’re
going? That is not
your room, silly
girl! Give me your
hand and we’ll
find your room.
Come on,sweetie.”
Instead, try this:
“Mrs. W., it looks
like you’re lost. Are
you having trouble
finding your
room? ... All of
these doors look
alike. Your room is
just down the hall.
Let me show you
the way.”
Why we do it:
• Highly Caring
• “Keeping it light”
Why it’s ageist:
• Infantilizing
• Causes
embarrassment

13.
What we say:
It’s Mrs. B.’s
87th Birthday.
“Happy birthday!
Let me guess,
you’re turning 29,
right?”
“I’m 87 today”
“You look good
for your age!”
Instead, try this:
“Happy Birthday
Mrs. B.! What do
you have planned
to celebrate your
birthday today?”
Why we do it:
• Paying a
compliment
• To make someone
feel good
Why it’s ageist:
• Ignoring life
accomplishments
• Placing a value on
youth

14.
What we say:
An older couple are
kissing and holding
hands.
“Aw, look how cute
they are!”
Instead, try this:
“You can really see
how much Mr. and
Mrs. J. love each
other. I think a love
like that is
beautiful.”
Why we do it:
• To acknowledge an
older couple’s
affection
Why it’s ageist:
• Infantilizing
• Causes
embarrassment
• Disrespectful of
mature relationships

15.
What we say:
Mr. J. is cognitively
impaired. His family
is concerned about
his memory.
“When people get
older they get
dementia, but we
provide them with
the best care.”
Instead, try this:
“I know you are
concerned about
your father’s
memory. We can
provide you with
resources to help
you understand
his condition
better.”
Why we do it:
• Attempting to put
the family at ease
Why it’s ageist:
• Myth not fact
• Generalizing
• Us vs. Them

16.
What can we do?
• Become attentive to what we model
• Recognize the need for education and
training
• Be compassionate with ourselves and
others