Ageism is the systematic stereotyping and discrimination against individuals based on their age. It can affect both the elderly and young people through negative age stereotypes. Institutional ageism is reflected in things like higher poverty standards, lack of job training for young workers, and health care systems that focus on acute care rather than preventative care for the elderly. The elderly are commonly stereotyped as asexual, unproductive, forgetful, and passive. In response, they often accept, deny, avoid, or try to reform ageist attitudes. Elder abuse is underreported with only 1 in 6 incidents reported. Ageism also affects health care, nursing homes, emergency response, workplaces, and media representation of the elderly.

1. October 21, 2009Ageism

2. Definition of AgeismProcess of systematic stereotyping and discrimination against individuals based on ageRobinson (1994)

3. Negative AgeismWhat are some examples of positive and negative age stereotypes affecting the elderly?What are some examples of positive and negative age stereotypes affecting young people?

4. Institutional AgeismHigher federal poverty standardsJob training for young workersState welfare funds for children & adolescentsHealth care system focus on acute careRobinson (1994)

5. ConsequencesElderly are expected to be:

6. Asexual

7. Intellectually rigid

8. Unproductive

9. Forgetful

10. Happy

11. Enjoying retirement

12. Invisible

13. Passive

14. UncomplainingResponse to AgeismElderly individuals commonly respond in 4 ways:AcceptanceDenialAvoidanceReform

15. Elder AbuseBetween 1 and 3 million Americans aged 65+ have been mistreated by a caregiver1 out of 6 incidents of abuse is reportedOnly 21 states maintain an elder abuse registry5 million older Americans are victims of financial exploitation each yearAgeism in America: The Status Reports (2006)

16. Ageism in Health CareLack of preventive care35% of physicians consider an increase in blood pressure to be a normal process of aging; 60% of adults over 65 do not receive recommended preventive health services such as mammograms, vaccines, examLack of effective treatment provisionChemotherapy is underused in treating breast cancer patients over 65, even though it can improve survivalLack of adequate health researchOlder patients are significantly underrepresented in clinical treatment trials; 40% of clinical trials excluded individuals over 75 from participatingLack of training In 2005, Congress eliminated all funding for geriatrics education and training, which had previously been funded at 31.5 million per year.Ageism in America: The Status Reports (2006)

17. Ageism in Nursing Homes9 out of 10 nursing homes are inadequately staffedOver half of the 17,000 nursing homes in the US fail to meet minimum standards, but only .5% are cited and penalized for patterns of widespread problems that cause harm to residentsAgeism in America: The Status Reports (2006)

18. Ageism in Emergency Services60% of Hurricane Katrina’s victims were over age 60About 80% of the individuals who die of heat-wave related hyperthermia each year are over age 50Ageism in America: The Status Reports (2006)

19. Ageism in the Workplace2004 EEOC rulingIn 2004, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that employers can deny health benefits to retirees at age 65 without violating age discrimination lawsTo improve job prospects, 63% of applicants say they would leave dates off their resume to hide their age, and 18% say they would undergo cosmetic surgeryAgeism in America: The Status Reports (2006)

20. Ageism in the MediaLess than 2% of prime-time television characters are age 65 or older; this is the case despite the fact that this group comprises 12.7% of the populationAgeist Gender Inequality11% of male characters on tv between 50 and 64 are categorized as “old” verses 22% of female charactersOnly 1/3 of older characters on prime time tv are womenAgeism in America: The Status Reports (2006)