Despite (or maybe because of) the ongoing aging of the world’s population, ageism continues to be a problem worldwide. A recent United Nations publication declared, “It is estimated that every second person in the world holds ‘moderately or highly ageist attitudes’.” Moreover, because of ageism, it’s estimated that economies worldwide are losing billions of dollars. AARP estimates that the US economy loses $850 billion a year in lost financial contributions from older adults due to ageism. And the pandemic only highlighted and exacerbated the negative impact of ageism, in our healthcare system, social fabric, and the everyday lives of older adults. In fact, older adults continuously face both minor and more serious acts of ageism, whether they are in the professional work world or just going about their daily business. A report in JAMA estimated that 90% of adults aged 50-80 have experienced the sting of ageism and in the work world, there’s been an uptick of age discrimination claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, with claims rising 23% in just the past year. It’s a pervasive stain on our social fabric, though not necessarily a new concept, as researchers can trace ageism back to the late 1800s. Perhaps it’s just more visible and out loud these days, as more older adults are out and about and as social media creates a megaphone for discriminatory attitudes.

“Everyday ageism” can be defined as “brief verbal, nonverbal, and environmental indignities that convey hostility, a lack of value, or narrow stereotypes of older adults.” You’re as likely to encounter it at the local diner when the waitress seats you in the far back, as you are at the doctor’s office when the nurse calls you “honey” and asks “How are “we” doing today?” In fact, ageism in the healthcare setting is an ongoing and serious problem, as are the health effects of ageism. The WHO attributes 6.3 million cases of depression per year to ageism and it’s thought that older adults may lose out on treatment options or may have their concerns dismissed as merely being a product of “old age” rather than having a thorough diagnostic workup.  According to an expert at the University of Milwaukee, there is a study showing that 84% of healthcare workers who interact with older adults use “elder speak”, which is language and a tone of voice that can be considered condescending or even harmful to older adults. Examples of “elder speak” would include such provocations as the use of simple words, speaking slowly or loudly, using a “sing-songy” tone of voice, or using terms of affection like “sweetie” or “dear” (when there is no familiarity) to address an older person. 

So how can you combat the ‘everyday ageism” you encounter in your own life? McMaster Optimal Aging recently published some suggestions, including checking yourself and your own biases, to make sure your own ideas are not based on stereotypes or ageism, using your voice to call out examples when you encounter them, and fostering connections with younger people in your community, as it’s important to model real aging behavior and to help them understand the ageism they may harbor. You can also avail yourself of the many resources online for more support, tools, and suggestions on how to address the ageism you encounter. For some of the best resources online, click your mouse here, then here, and finally here.