Did you know Oct. 9 is Ageism Awareness Day? Have you heard of ageism? Would you recognize ageism if you came across it? For many people, ageism is something they may never have thought much about.
The American Society on Aging defines ageism as stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) toward others or oneself solely based on age.
Aging is a natural part of our life experience. When we are children, we eagerly look forward to the next rite of passage. Key milestones such as becoming teenagers, learning how to drive, becoming young adults and setting off on our own. So, what happens when we become older adults? Are there still new experiences to be had? The answer is a resounding yes!
To bring the issues of older adults to the forefront, the San Antonio Area Foundation formed Successfully Aging and Living in San Antonio (SALSA) in 2016 to increase leadership, collaboration and funding to ensure older adults have access to transform our community by advancing practices and policies that improve the quality of life of older adults in Bexar County.
SALSA is reframing aging by offering training in the community. What does it mean to reframe aging? It’s time to change the way we talk, think and act about age. We can start reframing aging by being mindful of the words we use. We can stop saying, “I’m having a senior moment,” or “you look good for your age.” We can acknowledge and champion that having good ideas is possible at any age.
Although older adults have many exciting opportunities ahead, they often face the reality of ageism, which can hinder their ability to travel, be creative or remain in the workforce. This prejudice can make individuals feel “too old” to pursue activities simply based on their age – when it’s actually not the case.
The notion of being “too old” can cause a person to put off seeing a doctor for medical problems because they may think that it is “simply age.” Ageism, stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination based on age is a challenge. One recent study estimates that the annual health cost of ageism in the U.S. is $63 billion for a broad range of health conditions.
Ageism can also be seen on display in everyday negative messages about aging and older people in movies, TV, songs and jokes. Just take a look at the greeting card section. How many “over the hill” cards have you seen? One group that decided to act is Texas Silver-Haired Legislature. They recently drafted a resolution calling for reframing aging in birthday cards to reinforce positive stereotypes of aging.
Aging is a luxury not afforded to everyone. Embracing aging can create a more positive outlook for the individual as well as create a society that is supportive of all people. On this Ageism Awareness Day 2024, SALSA stands ready to provide information, resources and advocacy on behalf of older adults in our region. There are many ways you can join our cause – making a contribution to our program is a great option!
Jane Paccione is Managing Director for Collective Impact at the San Antonio Area Foundation and leads the SALSA program. Jo Ann Tobias-Molina is the SALSA Project Coordinator.
